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Across 12 studies with more than
1,000 kids…
here’s what we found.
ZAMZEE RESEARCH RESULTS
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TWO KEY QUESTIONS
Does Zamzee work? Why?
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
We used accelerometers to measure moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), like dancing, climbing stairs, or jogging.
Kids who got access to the Zamzee website moved 59% more on average than kids in the control group, who did not get access to the website.
That difference is like: • Doing push-ups non-stop for 45 min/week• Scrubbing floors for 3 hrs/month• Chasing wild pigs for 6 min/day (really)
Source: Compendium of Physical Activities
Zamzee increased physical activity by almost 60%
Zamzee Impact Study
PRIMARYOUTCOMES
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Even after 24 weeks, kids with access to the Zamzee website were consistently more active than kids in the control group.
Zamzee’s impact persisted for at least 6 months
Zamzee Impact Study
PRIMARYOUTCOMES
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
Control
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Base-line
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LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol is a heart disease risk factor. Gradual increases in LDL are typical in kids, as seen in the control group. But among kids who used Zamzee, LDL gains were reduced.
Using Zamzee slowed gainin “bad” cholesterol
Zamzee Impact Study
SECONDARYOUTCOMES
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
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Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is an indirect measure of blood sugar. It is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Over 6 months, HbA1c levels were better maintained among kids who used Zamzee than kids in the control group.
Using Zamzee helped control blood sugar levels
Zamzee Impact Study
SECONDARYOUTCOMES
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
Baseline 6 mo5.2
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(Deci & Ryan, 2000; Pink, 2009)
Zamzee works and here’s whyCombining extrinsic rewards to initiate behavior and intrinsic rewards to sustain behavior change is a central principle of motivational science. We applied this principle in designing the Zamzee website.
Extrinsic rewards include small prizes that help initiate physical activity.
Intrinsic rewards are positive experiences which sustain motivation over time.
Zamzee Rewards Studies
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Optimizing extrinsic rewards
Zamzee Rewards Studies
Zamzee’s game mechanics provide a combination of small prizes and intrinsic motivators that initiate and sustain behavior change.
Control Virtual only
Virtual + $5
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8To jumpstart physical activity, kids in the rewards conditions experienced a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic rewards via the Zamzee website. The type of extrinsic rewards included virtual goods (e.g., badges) and gift cards ($5 and $20).
On average, the kids who were rewarded were more physically active than those in the control group, who did not have access to the website and only wore an accelerometer.
(Deci & Ryan, 2000; Pink, 2009)
MV
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Fostering intrinsic rewardsZamzee website features are designed to provide kids with positive experiences related to physical activity. Engaging in these experiences fosters kids’ intrinsic motivation by creating a sense of:
COMPETENCE: feeling capable and effective
AUTONOMY: having freedom and a sense of control
MASTERY: growing and improving
PURPOSE: pursuing goals and aspirations
RELATEDNESS: belonging and connecting with others
(Deci & Ryan, 2000; Pink, 2009)
Zamzee Rewards Studies
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DOES ZAMZEE WORK?
On average, kids who were rewarded for activity moved more than those who were not. Along with a positive mindset, providing a bit of reward can be an effective
way to motivate and sustain behavior change.
TWO KEY QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
On average, kids who used our motivational website
moved almost 60% more than those who only used an
accelerometer. These results persisted for 6 months and
were associated with reductions in risk factors for heart disease and diabetes.
WHY DOES IT WORK?
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ADDITIONAL RESEARCH DETAILS
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Zamzee was effective even in groups which are at an increased risk for sedentary behavior. Among these groups, participants who wore our accelerometer and used our motivational website moved more than their peers in the control group, on average.
Zamzee increased physical activity in at-risk groups
Zamzee Impact Study
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Girls: 103% increase Overweight kids (BMI>25): 27% increase
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
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Zamzee Impact Study
Sample CharacteristicsSite Suburban N=86 (19% of total sample)
Suburban N=82 (18%)Rural N=87 (19%)Rural N=105 (23%)Urban N=50 (11%)Urban N=38 (9%)
Age 11-14 Mean = 12.7, SD = 0.8
GenderFemale N=244 (54%)Male N=204 (46%)
EthnicityWhite N=198 (45%)Hispanic N=110 (25%)African-American N=64 (14%)Multiethnic N=53 (12%)Asian N=12 (3%)Decline N=6 (1%)
BMI 14-50 Mean = 22.2, SD = 5.2, BMI>25 = 25%
Zamzee Impact Study
METHODS & PROCEDURE
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
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Study AimsHypothesis: Zamzee will increase MVPA and health-related biomarkers in middle school-aged kids.
Study Design• Multi-site randomized controlled trial: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01433679• Study sample: 448 middle school-aged US kids recruited from 6 diverse US sites• Study arms
1. Zamzee accelerometer & motivational website2. Control group: Zamzee accelerometer only
• Measurement structure1. Continuous assessment of physical activity over 6 month study participation2. Pre- and post-study assessments of blood biomarkers
• Outcomes1. Primary: MVPA rates over 6 month study period2. Secondary: Biomarkers of metabolic function (HbA1c, glucose; lipid panel)
Zamzee Impact Study
METHODS & PROCEDURE
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01433679
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Study AimsHypothesis: Zamzee’s reward model will increase MVPA in middle school-aged kids.
Study Design• Study sample: 100 middle school-aged US kids• Study arms:
1. Zamzee accelerometer & motivational websitesa. Virtual onlyb. Virtual + $5c. Virtual + $20
2. Control group: Zamzee accelerometer only • Measurement structure:
1. Continuous assessment of physical activity for up to 12 weeks during study participation
• Outcomes1. MVPA rates measured during study participation
Zamzee Rewards Studies
METHODS & PROCEDURE
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Sample CharacteristicsAge 11-15 Mean = 13.0, SD = 0.7
GenderFemale N=53 (53%)Male N=47 (47%)
EthnicityWhite N=44 (44%)Hispanic N=35 (35%)African-American N=1 (1%)Multiethnic N=11 (11%)Asian N=3(3%)Decline N=6 (6%)
BMI 15-43 Mean = 21.6, SD = 4.9, BMI>25 = 18%
Zamzee Rewards Studies
METHODS & PROCEDURE
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Thank you!Pam OmidyarRobert Wood Johnson Foundation
Special thanks to the HopeLab staff and Board of Directors, and to all of the kids and families who participated in this research.