Game of Stones
Recruitment for the Game of Stones across the three UK countries was completed in May 2022
In Glasgow, the research fieldworkers are, Claire Torrens and Norelle Calder-MacPhee supported by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow and University of Stirling.
What is the Game of Stones trial?
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.
Game of Stones aims to find out if text messages (with and without cash incentives) can help men to lose weight over 1 year and keep it off for another year compared to a waiting list group.
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?
Researchers in Glasgow, Belfast and Bristol recruited 585 men from varied backgrounds. GP practices sent invitation letters and researchers recruited men at community venues. Men were allocated by chance to one of three groups: texts with incentives; texts only; and a 12-month waiting list for texts. The full cash incentive is only paid at 12 months if all personal weight loss targets are met when men are weighed at 3, 6, and 12 months. Some money is lost for each target weight that is not met. Weight loss after 12 months is the main outcome hoped for and men are asked questions about their health, quality of life, well-being and experiences. Men are also weighed 1 year later (24 months after the start).
Keep up to date with the progress through the Game of Stones website and newsletters:
- Game of Stones Newsletter June 2022
- Game of Stones Newsletter December 2022
- Game of Stones Newsletter March 2023
View the protocol for Game of Stones.
The findings will be shared with the public, men’s health groups and health service staff through social media, blogs, reports, presentations and research papers.
The feasibility trial results are now published:
Dombrowski, S.U., et al., Game of Stones: feasibility randomised controlled trial of how to engage men with obesity in text message and incentive interventions for weight loss.
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.
McDonald, M.D., et al., Recruiting men from across the socioeconomic spectrum via GP registers and community outreach to a weight management feasibility randomised controlled trial.
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.
Many thanks to the 105 men who participated and everyone who helped us! In the main Game of Stones trial, the text messages have been refined with men, for men and are new. They share tips to help men find a plan that works for them and stick to it. There’s no magic bullet, but there is a new website with information and self-monitoring features. Apart from the text messages – there are not many changes from our feasibility study.
Who is funding Game of Stones?
The Game of Stones Trial is funded by NIHR Public Health Research [REF 129703] and has been approved by the North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee (2) [IRAS REF 290955].
Who are the trial investigators?
Pat Hoddinott (Chief Investigator)
University of Stirling
University of Stirling
University of Aberdeen
University of Aberdeen
Queens University, Belfast
Queens University Belfast
University of Bristol
University of Aberdeen
University of Stirling
University of Glasgow
University of Stirling
Martin Tod and Jim Pollard
Colin Fowler and Michael McKeon
Men’s Health Forum all Ireland
The trial managers are:
Catriona O’Dolan and Lisa Macaulay
In Bristol, the research fieldworker is Ms Hilary Taylor supported by the University of Bristol and NHS England.
In Belfast, the research fieldworkers are Clare Jess and Christina O’Neill supported by Queen's University, Belfast and the Public Health Agency.
Behind the scenes support:
The Centre for Healthcare Randomised Controlled Trials (CHaRT) at University of Aberdeen - Graeme MacLennan, Seonaidh Cotton, Mark Forrest, Beatriz Goulao and James Swingler;
The Health Informatics Centre (HIC) at the University of Dundee - Claire Jones, Keith Milburn and Ross Teviotdale.
Game of Stones collaborators include:
Matthew McDonald and Rebecca Skinner, research fieldworkers on the 2017 Game of Stones feasibility trial, who are both doing PhDs in weight management for men;
Prof George Crooks CEO of The Digital Health Institute at the University of Strathclyde;
Dr Karen Allan, Academic Team Lead for Dietetics at Robert Gordon University;
Dr David Blane, University of Glasgow.
The independent trial steering group provides oversight on behalf of NIHR:
Prof Edmund Juszczak (Chair)
Prof of Clinical Trials and Statistics in Medicine
University of Nottingham
Prof Kate Jolly
Professor of Public Health & Primary Care
University of Birmingham
Prof Emma Frew
Professor in Health Economics
University of Birmingham
Mr David Gardner (PPI member)
Chairman of Scottish Men's Sheds and Chair of N Ayrshire Patient Participation Group
Scottish Men's Sheds
Mr Graham Jameson (PPI member)
Administration Officer, Registers of Scotland