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Using Mobile Technology to Better Understand and Measure Self-Regulation

Applying Novel Technologies and Methods to Inform the Ontology of Self-Regulation - Aim 2 Non-lab Study: Using Mobile Technology to Better Understand and Measure Self-Regulation

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03352713
Enrollment
185
Registered
2017-11-24
Start date
2018-01-11
Completion date
2018-12-03
Last updated
2020-01-10

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Binge Eating, Self-regulation, Smoking

Keywords

self-regulation, binge eating, smoking, ecological momentary assessment, mobile sensing, mHealth

Brief summary

This study will evaluate the extent to which we can engage and manipulate putative targets within the self-regulation domain outside of laboratory settings in samples of smokers and overweight/obese individuals with binge eating disorder. Fifty smokers and 50 overweight/obese individuals with binge eating disorder will be recruited to participate in a non-lab experimental paradigm in which we will leverage our novel mobile behavioral assessment/intervention technology platform. We will measure and modulate engagement of potential self-regulation targets and collect data in real time and in real-world conditions. Mobile sensing will be added to up to 50 additional participants.

Detailed description

Health risk behavior, including poor diet, physical inactivity, tobacco and other substance use, causes as much as 40% of the illness, suffering, and early death related to chronic diseases. Non-adherence to medical regimens is an important exemplar of the challenges in changing health behavior and its associated impact on health outcomes. Although an array of interventions has been shown to be effective in promoting initiation and maintenance of health behavior change, the mechanisms by which they actually work are infrequently systematically examined. One promising domain of mechanisms to be examined across many populations and types of health behavior is of self-regulation. Self-regulation involves identifying one's goals, and maintaining goal-directed behavior. A large scientific literature has identified the role of self-regulation as a potential causal mechanism in promoting health behavior. Advances in digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities to assess and modify self-regulation and health behavior. In this project, we plan to use a systematic, empirical process to integrate concepts across the divergent self-regulation literatures to identify putative mechanisms of behavior change to develop an overarching ontology of self-regulatory processes. This multi-year, multi-institution project aims to identify an array of putative psychological and behavioral targets within the self-regulation domain implicated in medical regimen adherence and health behavior. This is in service of developing an ontology of self- regulation that will provide structure and integrate concepts across diverse literatures. We aim to examine the relationship between various constructs within the self-regulation domain, the relationship among measures and constructs across multiple levels of analysis, and the extent to which these patterns transcend population and context. The project consists of four primary aims: Aim 1. Identify an array of putative targets within the self-regulation domain implicated in medical regimen adherence and health behavior across these 3 levels of analysis. We will build on Multiple PI Russ Poldrack's pioneering Cognitive Atlas ontology to integrate concepts across divergent literatures to develop an ontology of self-regulatory processes. Our expert team will catalog tasks in the self-regulation literature, implement tasks via online testing (Mechanical Turk) to rapidly obtain large datasets of self-regulatory function, assess the initial ontology via confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling, and assess and revise the resulting ontology according to neural similarity patterns across tasks (to identify tasks for Aim 2). Aim 2. Evaluate the extent to which we can engage and manipulate putative targets within the self-regulation domain both within and outside of laboratory settings. Fifty smokers and 50 overweight/obese persons with binge eating disorder will participate in a lab study (led by Poldrack) to complete the tasks identified under Aim 1. We will experimentally modulate engagement of targets (e.g., stimulus set of highly palatable foods images or tobacco-related images as well as self-regulation interventions). A comparable sampling of 100 persons will participate in a non-lab study (led by Multiple PI Lisa Marsch) in which we will leverage our novel mobile-based behavioral assessment/intervention platform to modulate target engagement and collect data in real-world conditions. Aim 3. Identify or develop measures and methods to permit verification of target engagement within the self-regulation domain. Led by Co-I Dave MacKinnon, we will examine cross-assay validity and cross-context and cross-sample reliability of assays. We will employ discriminant and divergent validation methods and Bayesian modeling to refine an empirically-based ontology of self-regulatory targets (to be used in Aim 4). Aim 4. We will evaluate the degree to which engaging targets produces a desired change in medical regimen adherence (across 4 week interventions) and health behavior among smokers (n=100) and overweight/obese persons with binge eating disorder (n=100) (objectively measured smoking in the former sample and binge eating in the latter sample). We will employ our novel mobile behavioral assessment/intervention platform to engage targets in these samples, given that (1) it offers self-regulation assessment and behavior change tools via an integrated platform to a wide array of populations, and (2) content within the platform can be quickly modified as needed to better impact targets. The proposed project is designed to identify valid and replicable assays of mechanisms of self-regulation across populations to inform an ontology of self-regulation that can ultimately inform development of health behavior interventions of maximal efficacy and potency. This protocol details the Aim 2 non-lab study led by Multiple PI Marsch. This phase of the study takes what we learned about self-regulation in the first phase and tests it in two samples that are exemplary for lapses in self-regulation: individuals who smoke and overweight/obese individuals with binge eating disorder. We expect that many real-world conditions (e.g., temptation, negative affect) may decrease self-regulation, whereas training through the mobile intervention described below may increase self-regulation. The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether we can shift self-regulation for the ultimate goal (in Aim 4) of targeting self-regulation to impact health behaviors.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALLaddr

Laddr is an integrated, personalized, web-based self-regulation assessment and behavior change system. It integrates tools that have been shown to be effective for a wide array of behavioral phenomena ranging from substance use and abuse, mental health, risk-taking, chronic pain management, medication adherence, diet, exercise, diabetes and other chronic disease management, and smoking. The organizational structure, functionality and content within Laddr's system centrally embrace these fundamental aspects of behavior change; thus, the Laddr platform is not diagnosis-specific but rather enables integrated care for any combination of individuals' goals, needs, and preferences.

Sponsors

National Institutes of Health (NIH)
CollaboratorNIH
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
CollaboratorNIH
University of Memphis
CollaboratorOTHER
Ohio State University
CollaboratorOTHER
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Age 21-50 years * Understand English sufficiently to provide informed consent * Use a smartphone (participants without mobile sensing); proficient with using smartphone and comfort wearing devices (participants with mobile sensing) * Additional inclusion criteria for binge eating sample: * 27 ≤ BMI ≤ 45 kg/m2 * Have binge eating disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) criteria * Non-smoking (defined as no cigarettes in past 12 months-this includes former and never smokers) * Additional inclusion criteria for smoking sample: * Smoke 5 or more tobacco cigarettes/day for past year * 17 ≤ BMI \< 27 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

* Any current substance use disorder o Will not exclude based on use of substances * Currently pregnant or plans to become pregnant in next 3 months * Lifetime history of major psychotic disorders (including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) * Current use of any medication for psychiatric reasons (including stimulants and mood stabilizers) * Current use of prescription pain medications (e.g., Vicodin, oxycodone) * Current use of any medication for smoking * Exceptions: short-acting nicotine replacement therapy (e.g., gum, lozenge, nasal spray, inhaler) * Will screen out for Wellbutrin or varenicline * Current use of any medication for weight loss * Have undergone weight-loss surgery (e.g., gastric bypass, lap band) * Current nighttime shift work or obstructive sleep apnea * Note: We will not exclude based on e-cigarette use. * Additional

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
12-item Momentary Self-regulation Questionnaire14 daysSelf-reported momentary self-regulation assessed by the momentary self-regulation questionnaire four times daily (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon/evening, and night) over a 14-day period. Each item is scored 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). The scale is comprised of four subscales: momentary perseverance, momentary sensation seeking, momentary self-judgment, and momentary mindfulness. Each subscale score is calculated by averaging the responses from three of the scale items. Scores on each subscale range from 1 to 5, with higher subscale scores indicating greater momentary reporting of that facet of self-regulation (perseverance, sensation seeking, self-judgment, or mindfulness).

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Binge Eating Episodes [Binge Eating Sample Only]14 days\[Binge eating sample only\] Self-reported binge eating episodes assessed four times daily (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon/evening, and night) over a 14-day period. A binge eating episode is defined as self-reported overeating and loss of control. Overeating is assessed by the question Since the last prompt, when you ate most recently, did you overeat? and is scored as 0 (no) or 1 (yes). Loss of control is assessed by the question When you ate most recently, did you lose control over your eating? and is scored as 1 (not at all) to 5 (totally), where a 4 or 5 is considered loss of control.
Smoking Episodes [Smoking Sample Only]14 days\[Smoking sample only\] Self-reported smoking assessed four times daily (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon/evening, and night) over a 14-day period. A smoking episode is defined as self-reported smoking of more than zero cigarettes and is assessed by the question Since the last prompt, how many cigarettes have you smoked? Participants are asked to input a number into a number field.

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Laddr
All participants in the study will be invited to use Laddr, described in the intervention section. Laddr: Laddr is an integrated, personalized, web-based self-regulation assessment and behavior change system. It integrates tools that have been shown to be effective for a wide array of behavioral phenomena ranging from substance use and abuse, mental health, risk-taking, chronic pain management, medication adherence, diet, exercise, diabetes and other chronic disease management, and smoking. The organizational structure, functionality and content within Laddr's system centrally embrace these fundamental aspects of behavior change; thus, the Laddr platform is not diagnosis-specific but rather enables integrated care for any combination of individuals' goals, needs, and preferences.
185
Total185

Withdrawals & dropouts

PeriodReasonFG000
Overall StudyCompleted 0 EMAs8
Overall StudyDevice incompatible/stolen5
Overall StudyLost to Follow-up8
Overall StudyWithdrawn by investigator5

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicLaddr
Age, Continuous35.2 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 7.9
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
6 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
179 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
12 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
7 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
1 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
165 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
185 participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Female
145 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Male
37 Participants
Sex/Gender, Customized
Non-binary/third gender
3 Participants
Short Form Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SSRQ)102.5 units on a scale
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.1

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 185
other
Total, other adverse events
0 / 185
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 185

Outcome results

Primary

12-item Momentary Self-regulation Questionnaire

Self-reported momentary self-regulation assessed by the momentary self-regulation questionnaire four times daily (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon/evening, and night) over a 14-day period. Each item is scored 1 (not at all) to 5 (extremely). The scale is comprised of four subscales: momentary perseverance, momentary sensation seeking, momentary self-judgment, and momentary mindfulness. Each subscale score is calculated by averaging the responses from three of the scale items. Scores on each subscale range from 1 to 5, with higher subscale scores indicating greater momentary reporting of that facet of self-regulation (perseverance, sensation seeking, self-judgment, or mindfulness).

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureGroupValue (MEAN)Dispersion
Laddr12-item Momentary Self-regulation QuestionnaireMomentary Perseverance3.0 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.2
Laddr12-item Momentary Self-regulation QuestionnaireMomentary Sensation Seeking2.2 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 0.8
Laddr12-item Momentary Self-regulation QuestionnaireMomentary Self-Judgment1.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Laddr12-item Momentary Self-regulation QuestionnaireMomentary Mindfulness3.9 scores on a scaleStandard Deviation 1.1
Secondary

Binge Eating Episodes [Binge Eating Sample Only]

\[Binge eating sample only\] Self-reported binge eating episodes assessed four times daily (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon/evening, and night) over a 14-day period. A binge eating episode is defined as self-reported overeating and loss of control. Overeating is assessed by the question Since the last prompt, when you ate most recently, did you overeat? and is scored as 0 (no) or 1 (yes). Loss of control is assessed by the question When you ate most recently, did you lose control over your eating? and is scored as 1 (not at all) to 5 (totally), where a 4 or 5 is considered loss of control.

Time frame: 14 days

Population: Binge eating sample

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
LaddrBinge Eating Episodes [Binge Eating Sample Only]350 binge eating episodes
Secondary

Smoking Episodes [Smoking Sample Only]

\[Smoking sample only\] Self-reported smoking assessed four times daily (morning, early afternoon, late afternoon/evening, and night) over a 14-day period. A smoking episode is defined as self-reported smoking of more than zero cigarettes and is assessed by the question Since the last prompt, how many cigarettes have you smoked? Participants are asked to input a number into a number field.

Time frame: 14 days

ArmMeasureValue (NUMBER)
LaddrSmoking Episodes [Smoking Sample Only]2891 smoking episodes

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 12, 2026