Zamzee Research Results

hopelab.org/zamzee 1

Across 12 studies with more than

1,000 kids…

here’s what we found.

ZAMZEE RESEARCH RESULTS


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


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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



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


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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


Optimizing extrinsic rewards


Zamzee’s game mechanics provide a combination of small prizes and intrinsic motivators that initiate and sustain behavior change.

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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)

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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)



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?


ADDITIONAL RESEARCH DETAILS


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



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



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



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


METHODS & PROCEDURE


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%


METHODS & PROCEDURE


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.

Zamzee Research Results

Health & Medicine

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