NCT06967337

Microsteps Study-Short, Animated Storytelling Video

Short, Animated Storytelling Video and Written Messages to Promote Adoption of Health "Microsteps": an Online Randomized Experiment

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 5,431 (actual)
• Sponsor: Stanford University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 99 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study evaluates the effect of single exposure to written Microsteps messages and short video booster content, on behavioral expectation to adopt behavioral nudges, in the immediate and medium term. Beyond that, the study will examine the effect of exposure to written Microsteps messages and short video booster content, on hope and happiness. This study will be conducted entirely online. Adult participants, in the US and the UK, will be recruited through the platform Prolific Academic (ProA).

Conditions

• Behavior, Health

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Microsteps	Microsteps (behavioral nudges) are a series of short, written messages that were developed by the Thrive Global Wellbeing and Behavior Change Platform, based in the US. The Microsteps messages deliver step-wise, small health behavioral nudges that align with research on behavior change strategies. The behavioral nudges focus on health behaviors that could be useful adjunct interventions for GLP-1RA users, (improved food choices, exercise, sleep and stress management).
BEHAVIORAL	Storytelling video	The storytelling video is a short, 2D animated, wordless storytelling video, of 2:21 minutes duration. The humorous, animated story features a minion-like character who, with the help of their dog, learns to adopt better health behaviors after experiencing an episode of burnout. The video mirrors the written Microsteps messages, conveying them through comical demonstration, rather than through instructional language. The animated characters are free of cultural identifiers, with the intention of increasing the accessibility of the video by overcoming barriers associated with culture, education, language and literacy. The video is intended to underscore and complement the written Microsteps messages, enhance their durability and boost hope and happiness in viewers.
BEHAVIORAL	Instructional Video	The Instructional Video is a short 2:27min video demonstrating the microsteps and presenting additional information about the rationale for adopting them. The video features an educator who explains these points in a didactic format, and a second educator who demonstrates performing a microstep (stretching at a desk).

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-06-19
• Primary completion: 2025-07-07
• Completion: 2025-07-21
• First posted: 2025-05-13
• Last updated: 2025-07-23

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States