DietBet: A Web-Based Program that Uses Social Gaming and Financial Incentives to Promote Weight Loss

Leahey, Tricia M.; Rosen, Jamie

doi:10.2196/games.2987

Cited by 30 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The main rationale would be to deter faking of smoking to gain access to incentives. Even if additional incentives are not involved, deposits alone may represent a feasible CM delivery model . For example, web‐based behavioral change programs such as http://stickk.com and http://dietbet.com—both of which incorporate deposits – report high rates of access.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nationwide access to an internet‐based contingency management intervention to promote smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2017

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Background and aims Contingency management (CM) is one of the most effective behavioral interventions to promote drug abstinence, but availability of this treatment is limited. We evaluated the efficacy and acceptability of Internet-based CM relative to an Internet-based monitoring and goal setting control group in a nationwide sample of cigarette smokers. Design Randomized controlled trial with 3- and 6-month follow ups. Setting USA. Participants Smokers (n=94) from 26 states were enrolled (mean age 36, 56% female). Intervention and comparator Participants were randomized to earn financial incentives (up to $480 over 7 weeks) based on video-verified abstinence using breath carbon monoxide (CO) output (n=48; Abstinent Contingent Group, AC), or based on submitting CO samples (n=46, Submission Contingent, SC). Both groups also received the same CO-based goals. A $50 deposit was required in both groups that could be recouped from initial earnings. Measures The primary outcome was point prevalence at week 4. Secondary outcomes were point prevalence at the 3- and 6-month follow-ups, percentages of negative CO samples, adherence to the CO sampling protocol, and treatment acceptability ratings on a 0–100mm visual analog scale. Findings Abstinence rates differed at 4 weeks between the AC (39.6%) and SC (13.0%) groups (odds ratio=4.4, 95% CI=1.6–12.3), but not at the 3- (29.2% AC and 19.6% SC, odds ratio=1.7, 95% CI=.6–4.4), or 6- (22.9% AC and 13.0% SC, odds ratio=2.0, 95% CI=.7–5.9) month follow-ups. During the two main treatment phases, there were significant differences in negative COs (53.9% AC and 24.8% SC, odds ratio = 3.5, 95% CI=3.1–4.0; 43.4% AC and 24.6% SC, odds ratio = 2.3, 95% CI=1.6–3.4). Adherence to the CO submission protocol was equivalent (78% AC and 85% SC, difference = 7.0%, 95% CI = −10.3%–23.8%, x2=.75, p = .39). The lowest acceptability ratings were for the items assessing the deposit, whereas the highest ratings concerned the ease of the intervention, the graph of CO results, and earning money. Conclusions A contingency management/financial incentive program delivered via the Internet improved short-term abstinence rates compared with an internet program without the incentives.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nationwide access to an internet‐based contingency management intervention to promote smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial

et al. 2017

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“…DietBet ® , for example, is an online platform which hosts deposit contract weight loss "games" and has attracted over 900,000 participants since 2010 (WayBetter, Inc., 2020a). Leahey and Rosen (2014) published a study with results from over 39,000 DietBet participants, which showed robust effects of the program. WayBetter, Inc., the company that operates DietBet, also has a StepBet ® platform for increasing physical activity (WayBetter, Inc., 2020c), a RunBet ® platform for running challenges (WayBetter, Inc., 2020b), and a SweatBet ® platform for exercise routine challenges (WayBetter, Inc., 2020d).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aside from acceptability considerations, it is unclear whether technology-based deposit contracts would be equally as effective without the inclusion of in-person procedures. To our knowledge, only three studies have evaluated fully remote technology-based deposit contract treatments (Dallery et al, 2017;Jarvis & Dallery, 2017;Leahey & Rosen, 2014), and additional research is needed.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology‐based versus in‐person deposit contract treatments for promoting physical activity

Stedman-Falls

Dallery

2020

J of App Behav Analysis

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Deposit contracts involve participants depositing their own money and earning it back contingent on behavior change. Deposit contracts are empirically supported treatments for promoting health behavior, but they have a history of poor uptake. We compared the effectiveness and acceptability of technology-based versus in-person deposit contracts for promoting physical activity with 12 individuals. Participants' daily step counts were monitored using Fitbits across 6 weeks, and treatment preferences were assessed at the end of the study. The 2 types of treatments were equally effective in increasing physical activity, but the technology-based deposit contracts were preferred by most participants. Most participants also reported that their preference was related to convenience. Technology-based implementation may be one way to improve deposit contract uptake, while maintaining similar effectiveness compared to in-person procedures.

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“…All players who meet the game's step count or weight loss goal split the pot equally, such that they are refunded their deposit, plus they receive extra money funded by the forfeited deposits of the players who did not meet the goal. One longitudinal study suggests that DietBet can produce clinically meaningful weight loss (Leahey & Rosen, 2014), but more controlled and long-term studies are needed.…”

Section: High-tech Intervention Deliverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Technology-Based Monitoring and Intervention Delivery: Expanding Behavior-Analytic Treatment to Health Behavior

Stedman-Falls¹,

Dallery²

2017

RMAC

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Technology-based health interventions are providing unprecedented ways to improve a range of socially significant behavior. In this article, we provide behavior analysts with an overview of technology-based platforms and applications to help broaden research and practice. First, we discuss "high-tech" platforms, such as smartphones, wearable sensors, and other wireless devices. Second, we provide information about "low-tech" platforms, such as text messaging, which may be more feasible to implement than high-tech platforms. Finally, we discuss challenges and opportunities, and we provide specific guidance regarding the prescription of these assessment and intervention tools as a part of behavior analytic services.

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DietBet: A Web-Based Program that Uses Social Gaming and Financial Incentives to Promote Weight Loss

Cited by 30 publications

References 27 publications

Nationwide access to an internet‐based contingency management intervention to promote smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial

Nationwide access to an internet‐based contingency management intervention to promote smoking cessation: a randomized controlled trial

Technology‐based versus in‐person deposit contract treatments for promoting physical activity

Technology-Based Monitoring and Intervention Delivery: Expanding Behavior-Analytic Treatment to Health Behavior

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