Behavioral economic MANET shape weight loss/maintenance

描述（由申请人提供）：需要强化行为干预来遏制肥胖的流行。不幸的是，由于缺乏一个准确的系统来测量行为并提供即时的强化，行为疗法的有效实施受到了限制。该SBIR第一阶段提案侧重于测试创新无线平台的可行性，以塑造关键的减肥和维护行为，并使用电子媒体（电视）作为强化。这个概念在这里被称为“按次付费行为”。行为测量是基于(a)通过在手机上运行的易于使用的软件对关键的减肥和维持行为进行自我监控和(b)嵌入减肥工具（如秤、计步器等）中的自动传感器的组合。参与有针对性的行为，如每天测量体重，通过称重来仔细估计食物的分量，定期自我监测饮食摄入量，通过增加可交换电子媒体的积分，可以立即得到强化。由于家庭中的所有媒体访问都是通过参与目标行为而获得的，因此使用该技术的干预措施进一步有助于减少媒体的总体使用，这是与肥胖相关的一个关键环境因素。自动传感器和可用性工程软件的使用减少了试图遵循规定行为方案的用户的负担。本提案的具体目标是：(1)开发传感器和媒体调节器的可用性测试平台。测试平台将允许在接近日常使用的情况下测试设备；(2)对n=15名成年人进行迭代折扣可用性研究，使该技术在该领域发挥作用；(3)对10名超重成人进行为期4个月的标准行为减肥计划中使用该技术的单受试者实验。这些目标的成功完成将使II期随机临床试验成为可能，并为使用媒体访问来加强成年人的关键减肥和维持行为提供重要数据。开发廉价的经临床验证的行为干预措施来治疗和预防肥胖是迫切的国家卫生保健优先事项。肥胖是一种流行病。这项拟议的研究是为了测试一种创新技术，以改变与成年人成功减肥和保持体重相关的关键行为。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Intensive behavioral interventions are needed to stem the obesity epidemic. Unfortunately, effective implementation of behavioral therapies is limited by the lack of an accurate system for measuring behavior and delivering immediate reinforcement. This SBIR Phase I proposal focuses on testing the feasibility of an innovative wireless platform for shaping key weight loss and maintenance behaviors, and using electronic media (TV) as reinforcement. This general idea is referred to here as "Behavioral Pay-Per-View". Behavioral measurement is based on combinations of (a) self-monitoring of key weight loss and maintenance behaviors via easy-to-use software that runs on a cell phone and (b) automatic sensors embedded in weight loss implements such as scales, pedometers, etc. Engagement in targeted behaviors such as daily measurement of body weight, careful portion estimation through weighing of foods, and regular self-monitoring of dietary intake result in immediate reinforcement through accretion of points exchangeable for access to electronic media. Because all media access in the home is earned through engagement in targeted behaviors, interventions using the technology further serve to reduce total media usage, which is a critical environmental factor related to obesity. The use of automatic sensors and usability-engineered software reduces the burden to users attempting to follow a prescribed behavior regimen. The specific aims of this proposal are: (1) develop a usability test bed of sensors and media regulators. The test bed will allow testing of the devices in situations approximating everyday use; (2) conduct iterative discount usability studies with n=15 adults to make the technology functional in the field, and; (3) conduct single-subjects experiments on the use of the technology during a 4-month, standard behavioral weight loss program in n=10 overweight adults. Successful completion of these aims will enable randomized clinical trials in Phase II and provide important data on using media access to reinforce key weight loss and maintenance behaviors in adults. The development of inexpensive clinically-validated behavioral interventions to treat and prevent obesity is a pressing National health care priority. Obesity is epidemic. The proposed research is for the testing of an innovative technology to change key behaviors related to successful weight loss and maintenance in adults.