The results from the first year of Game of Stones are now available. They show that after one year the men who received both text messages and the opportunity to get cash, lost the most weight. Game of Stones could therefore provide a low-cost solution for the health service to offer men. Read more in the press release here , policy briefing paper here or the publication in a scientific journal here also presented at the European Congress for Obesity ECO Poster
Data collection on the Game of Stones study has been completed and we will keep you updated on any further publications. We would like to thank all of our participants for taking part and giving up their time for this study.
Publications:
Text Messages With Financial Incentives for Men With Obesity A Randomized Clinical Trial DOI:10.1001/jama.2024.7064] click here
Long-term Effects of Text Messages with Financial Incentives for Men with Obesity: Two-year Follow-up of the Game of Stones trial [doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.12.24318921] click here
Cost-effectiveness of text messages with loss-framed financial incentives for men with obesity: The Game of stones trial [doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5058444] click here
Secondary analysis of the Game of Stones trial of text messages with financial incentives for men with obesity [doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.19.24319336] click here
Men with long-term conditions in the Game of Stones text messaging and financial incentives trial: an exploratory mixed methods study [doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.13.24318555] click here
Mental health and weight loss in men: an exploratory mixed methods study of the Game of Stones trial [doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.12.24318850] click here
Game of stones is designed for men because men rarely attend the weight loss services that are on offer. A small study in 2017 showed text messages, with and without incentives, could help men lose weight and feel better. Now we are doing a bigger study to answer the questions:- Does Game of Stones really help men lose weight and keep it off?- Who does it help most?- What are the costs and benefits for men and the NHS? Recruitment finished in 2022, with 585 men joining from Bristol, Glasgow and Northern Ireland. Participants were allocated by random to one of three groups at the start:
1. Group getting text messages and opportunity to get money for weight loss,
2. Group getting text messages alone; and
3. Group who got nothing for one year (to compare with the groups above).
Some groups were seen at 3 and 6 months, and all groups were followed up at 12 and 24 months after joining.
Further results of the study will be published on this website during 2024-2025. You can keep up to date with the latest news on this website and via our newsletters (below):
Thank you to all our participants for the valuable contribution you have made to this research study.
Meet your area team:
Belfast
Bristol
Glasgow
Game of Stones is led by Professor Pat Hoddinott at the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, University of Stirling.
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.
