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Behavioral Nudges for Prediabetes (BEGIN Trial)

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Matthew J O'Brien, MD
Research Sponsored by Northwestern University
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Adult patients (aged 18-80 years) with prediabetes and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25kg/m2)
Be older than 18 years old
Must not have
Type 2 diabetes
Current use of oral corticosteroids
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 12 months

Summary

This trial will test two low-touch interventions designed to motivate the adoption of treatments to prevent diabetes, which has the potential for large public health impact.

Who is the study for?
The BEGIN Trial is for English or Spanish-speaking adults aged 18-80 with prediabetes and overweight (BMI ≥25kg/m2). It's not for those with type 2 diabetes, dementia, current steroid use, pregnancy, no recent doctor visits, kidney issues indicated by high serum creatinine levels, past metformin use or very high blood pressure.
What is being tested?
This trial tests two 'nudge' strategies to prevent diabetes in primary care: a text messaging intervention and a decision aid tool. Participants will either receive these interventions or continue with usual care without additional support.
What are the potential side effects?
Since the interventions involve behavioral nudges like text messages and decision aids rather than medications or invasive procedures, there are minimal expected side effects. The main focus is on encouraging lifestyle changes and treatment adoption.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am 18-80 years old, overweight or obese, and have prediabetes.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I have type 2 diabetes.
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I am currently taking oral corticosteroids.
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My blood pressure is not higher than 180/100 mmHg.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~12 months
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 12 months for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Weight
Secondary study objectives
Metformin

Trial Design

4Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Group I: Text Messaging interventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Participants will receive biweekly messages throughout the 12-month trial. Automated messages will be sent using an existing secure text messaging platform.
Group II: Decision Aid intervention + Text Messaging interventionExperimental Treatment2 Interventions
Health Educators (HEs) will meet briefly with eligible participants after each office visit to review a prediabetes decision aid. Additionally, participants will receive biweekly messages throughout the 12-month trial. Automated messages will be sent using an existing secure text messaging platform.
Group III: Decision Aid interventionExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Health Educators (HEs) will meet briefly with eligible participants after each office visit to review a prediabetes decision aid which reviews information about the benefits and risks of intensive lifestyle intervention and metformin.
Group IV: Usual CarePlacebo Group1 Intervention
Usual care includes no additional intervention above the care routinely provided at the clinical partner site, Erie Family Health Center.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

Northwestern UniversityLead Sponsor
1,640 Previous Clinical Trials
956,612 Total Patients Enrolled
Matthew J O'Brien, MDPrincipal InvestigatorAssociate Professor

Media Library

Usual Care Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT04869917 — N/A
Prediabetes Research Study Groups: Decision Aid intervention + Text Messaging intervention, Usual Care, Decision Aid intervention, Text Messaging intervention
Prediabetes Clinical Trial 2023: Usual Care Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT04869917 — N/A
Usual Care 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT04869917 — N/A
~268 spots leftby Nov 2025