Game of Stones is a research study designed with men for men. It aims to find out if text messages (with and without cash incentives) can help men to lose weight and keep it off.
We did a small study in 2017 to find out what men thought about the Game of Stones study. It showed promise for helping men to lose weight and keep it off. We have written new text messages thanks to feedback from men who took part.
The Game of Stones texts, weight loss targets and website aim to help men to find their own way to lose weight and keep it off.
This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research’s Public Health Research Programme Ref: NIHR129703.
If you are allreay taking part in the Game Of Stones study and wish to login to the participant area of the website please click here here.
RESEARCHERS IN GLASGOW, BELFAST AND BRISTOL will recruit 585 men who want to lose weight from varied backgrounds. GP practices will send invitation letters and researchers will recruit men at community venues. Men will be allocated by chance to one of three groups: texts with incentives; texts only; and a 12-month waiting list for texts. The full cash incentive is paid at 12 months only if all personal weight loss targets are met when men are weighed at 3, 6, and 12 months.
Some money is lost for each target weight that is not met. Weight loss after 12 months is the main outcome hoped for and men are asked questions about their health quality of life, well-being and experiences. Men are also weighed 1 year later (24 months after the start), a year after the texts stop.
KEY QUESTIONS THIS STUDY WILL ANSWER:
Does Game of Stones help men lose weight and keep it off?
What are the costs and benefits for men and the NHS?
Does this service help men who are less or more well-off?
You can find out more information about taking part in Game of Stones here.
Professor Pat Hoddinott and a team at the University of Stirling are leading Game of Stones.
No. Any man over the age of 18 can take part.
No. This is decided randomly by a computer program and is out with the control of the research team
Unfortunately, this trial is aimed specifically at men but if you are interested in weight loss, please see local resources for advice.
We will follow all relevant government and local guidelines on Covid-19 in this trial, including measures such as physical distancing, use of antibacterial hand sanitiser/wipes and face masks.
Please email us on gameofstones@stir.ac.uk
This trial is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research Programme. Reference no: NIHR 129703. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.