Daily Weight Study for Wheelchair Users

STUDY BASICS

Do you use a wheelchair most of the time? Does your bed have four legs? Do you have access to Wi-Fi in your home? If so, you may be able to take part in a research study to help learn more about the usefulness of an “E-scale” system that uses sensors installed under bed legs to monitor weight. This study involves a 13-week weight loss program. Compensation provided.

STUDY PURPOSE

People who regularly use a wheelchair often have a difficult time maintaining a healthy weight. Physical restrictions and pain can make it difficult for people to exercise, and can also make it difficult for them to weigh themselves. Research has shown that regular weight monitoring can help people lose weight and keep it off, but there are few technologies available to help people with mobility issues weigh themselves. The purpose of this study is to help researchers learn more about the usefulness of the “E-scale” weight monitoring system, and find out how a combination of the “E-scale” and a weight loss program works for people who regularly use a wheelchair. The E-scale is a weight monitoring system that uses sensors on each leg of a bed to record and calculate a person’s total weight. Researchers hope their findings will help them improve the E-scale for future use, and may help people who use wheelchairs monitor and lose weight.

COULD THIS STUDY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

• Ages 18-80
• Use a wheelchair as your primary means of mobility
• Have a bed with four legs
• Have daily access to a Wi-Fi network at your home
• Currently own or are willing to use an android device (if you do not have an android device, one will be provided to you to use during the study)
• Have a body mass index (BMI) above 26.5 (A BMI calculator can be found at https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/BMI/bmicalc.htm)
• Not taking any medications for depression, anxiety, or weight loss
• Do not drink more than 4 alcoholic drinks per day
• Are not currently participating in a weight loss or exercise program
• Have not had bariatric surgery (lap-band, gastric bypass, etc.)

WHAT PARTICIPANTS CAN EXPECT

Participation lasts 13 weeks, and includes two visits to the Human Engineering Research Lab in Bakery Square. At the initial visit, participants will have physical measurements, complete questionnaires, and learn how to use the study smartphone apps. At home, the study team will install the E-scale under your bed, and provide training about how to use the E-scale system. For 12 weeks, participants will use the smartphone apps to record diet, activity, and weight, and will participate in group chats. During a final visit to the Human Engineering Research Lab in Bakery Square, the study apps will be deleted from your android device or you will return the device you borrowed for the study period. The study team will also schedule a time to come to your home to remove the E-scale or you can bring it with you for this final visit.