Game of Stones

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Eleven participants (11/69, 16%) requested to no longer receive texts but asked to remain in the trial. Requests to stop narrative texts were similar in both groups (SMS+I=5/36, 14%; SMS only=6/33, 18%) and occurred throughout the study. Four participants (4/69, 6%) withdrew due to dislike of narrative texts between baseline and 3 months, two in each intervention group. Start the game by initializing the number of stones in a pile. Let's say there are 'n' stones in the pile. Every effort to admit latecomers will be made at a suitable break in the event, but admission cannot always be guaranteed. Dombrowski, S.U., McDonald M, van der Pol M, Grindle M, Avenell A, Carroll P, et al., Text messaging and financial incentives to encourage weight loss in men with obesity: the Game of Stones feasibility RCT. Institute for Health Research and Innovation, University of the Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Highland, UK

van der Pol, M., McDonald, M., Collacott, H. et al. Designing financial incentives for health behaviour change: a mixed-methods case study of weight loss in men with obesity.

Key questions this study will answer: Do men lose weight and keep it off? What are the costs and benefits for men and the NHS? Does the service help men who are less well-off as well as the more well-off? What are men’s experiences? In Belfast, the research fieldworkers are Clare Jess and Christina O’Neill supported by Queen's University, Belfast and the Public Health Agency. Some men sent spontaneous replies to the narrative texts (0–3 months n=25/69, 36%; 3–6 months n=8/69, 12%, 6–12 months n=13/69, 19%; see online supplementary 2). Most spontaneous replies were received between 0 and 3 months (n=370 replies) and decreased at 3–6 months (n=16 replies) and 6–12 months (n=39 replies). THE CENTRE FOR HEALTHCARE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIALS (CHaRT) at University of Aberdeen - Mark Forrest, Beatriz Goulao and Seonaidh Cotton

People with obesity are at greater risk of type two diabetes, some cancers, heart disease, stroke, infections like COVID-19 and mobility problems. However, men rarely take part in weight loss services. Together with men who have tried to lose weight, we designed a new weight loss service. This three-arm weight management feasibility trial recruited and retained men from across the socioeconomic spectrum, with the majority from areas of disadvantage, was broadly acceptable to most participants and feasible to deliver.Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK The Centre for Healthcare Randomised Controlled Trials ( CHaRT) at University of Aberdeen - Graeme MacLennan, Seonaidh Cotton, Mark Forrest, Beatriz Goulao and James Swingler; This thrilling riverside treasure hunt takes you through graveyards and alleyways and bridges towards the distant Court of Kings. Find the answers, chase the clues and seize the Crown! I’m not a lover of chocolate, biscuits, cake, ice cream, I hardly ever touch them, hardly ever, so hearing about somebody eating pizza or sweets means nothing to me because I don't eat them anyway. (120002, SMS+I, 12 months)

THE TRIAL MANAGERS ARE Catriona O’Dolanand Lisa Macaulay, supported by Research Fellow Claire Torrens Some were uncertain of the role of the texts in helping to support weight loss. Others expressed an indifference towards the texts and a decreasing interest in the story over time leading to infrequent engagement with text content. However, the regular reminder of being a participant in a weight loss programme through receiving texts was seen as important: We have handy hints available - a text hint and a photo hint. But beware! The more hints you use the more penalties are added to your time! Where does the Game Start? Funding This report presents independent research commissioned by the NIHR. The views and opinions expressed by authors in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the NHS, the NIHR, MRC, CCF, NETSCC, the Public Health Research programme or the Department of Health. The views and opinions expressed by the interviewees in this publication are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect those of the authors, those of the NHS, the NIHR, MRC, CCF, NETSCC, the Public Health Research programme or the Department of Health.The Nursing Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals Research Unit, the Health Services Research Unit and Health Economics Research Unit are funded by the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health and Social Care Directorate.Qualitative interviews at 3 and 12 months demonstrated varied views on the narrative texts. Participants’ views ranged from positive to indifferent to negative. Those who liked the narrative texts found the storyline entertaining, engaging and some participants felt a certain camaraderie for the main character: The Game of Stones study adds to the evidence base demonstrating the feasibility of recruiting men for research on sensitive subjects, such as obesity, through community outreach and GP practice lists. 11–13 b. Prompt the current player to choose the number of stones they want to remove from the pile. Make sure the chosen number is valid (i.e., between 1 and a predefined maximum number of stones that a player can remove).def game_of_stones(n, num_players, max_stones):