Mapping Out WTH Arm Schedules

A how-to guide to design and develop your arm schedule template 

Big Picture things to consider:

Develop an event schedule for each arm of your study.  For each events these include:

1. On what day should the encounter occur?

2. At what time should the encounter start? 
3. How long should the encounter window stay open? 
4. Should the encounter repeat? If so, how many days, weeks? 
5. Should there be consequences (i.e. messages, compliance, etc.) based on event outcome? 

Things to consider for each event type

1. Message
   1. What day should the message be sent out?
   2. What time should the message be sent out? 
   3. What is the body of the message? 
   4. How should the message be sent out?
      1. Text only
      2. Email only
      3. Phone call only
      4. Per participant notification preference 
   5. Is this a one-time message or is it repeating?
      1. Repeating- by days or weeks? How many times should the message repeat? 
         
         
2. Ask a question via text
   1. What day should the question be sent out?
   2. What time should the question be sent out? 
   3. What is the body of the question? 
   4.  How long should the participant have to respond to the question?
   5. What are the valid responses that the participant should send? (e.g. 1, 2, 3) 
   6. What message should you send back for a response of 1, 2, or 3?
   7. What message should you send back if the participant sends something other than a requested response (e.g. not 1-3)? 

Case Example:

1-month physical activity study with daily lottery incentive for meeting goal of >10,000 steps and text weekly check ins

1. Welcome to study message
   • Start: Day 0
   • Time: As soon as the participant is started in the arm
   • Message:PARTICIPANT, welcome to the Fitbit study! Thank you for enrolling. 
     
     
2. Daily step count from Fitbit
   • Start: Day 0
   • Time: As soon as the participant is started in the arm
   • Length of window: All day
   • Repeat: daily- every 1 day, 30 times 
   • Compliance: If participant walks > 10,000 steps, mark as meeting their goal
     
     
3. Daily lottery 
   • Start: Day 1
   • Time: 11 am 
   • Repeat: daily- every 1 day, 30 times 
   • Feedback: if participant met their step count goal the previous day, then make them eligible for the lottery 
   • Message: 
     • eligible winner: You met your step goal yesterday and won AMOUNT in the lottery!
     • eligible loser: You met your step goal yesterday, but did not win the lottery this time.  Keep up the good work! 
     • ineligible winner: Had you met your step goal, you would have won AMOUNT in the lottery.
     • ineligible loser: Had you met your step goal, you would not have won the lottery this time. 
       
       
4. Exercise tip #1 
   • Start: Day 3
   • Time: 9 am 
   • Message: Exercise tip #1: Use a buddy system! Find a friend or relative who also wants to establish a healthier lifestyle and keep each other accountable to goals. 
     
     
5. Weekly check in text response 
   • Start: Day 7
   • Time: 10 am 
   • Message Prompt: Hi PARTICIPANT_FIRSTNAME, do you need help meeting your step goals? Text back yes or no. 
   • Length of participant response window: 10 am - 11:59 pm 
   • Repeat: weekly- every 1 week, 4 times 
   • Message:
     • if participant texts back 'no': 
       • participant: We are glad to hear that you are meeting your step goals! Keep up the great work! 
     • if participant texts back 'yes': 
       • participant: Thank you for your response. We will reach out to you for assistance within one business day. 
       • study team: Participant needs help meeting goals.  Reach out for assistance. 
     • if participant texts back invalid formatted text:
       
       • participant: We didn't understand your response, please text back 'yes' or 'no'.
   
   
6. Mid point survey

   • Start: Day 15
     

   • Time: 11 am

   • Message Prompt: Hi PARTICIPANT, please click the following link to complete the mid-point survey! You have until END_DATE to complete the survey.  SURVEY_LINK

   • Amount of time participant has to complete survey:14 days 

   • Result of Survey Completion: if participant completes the survey, pay out $50 

      

7. Mid point survey reminder

   • Start: Day 18

   • Time: 11 am 

   • Message: Please rememeber to log into the Fitbit study to complete your mid-point survey! 

   • Repeat: daily- every 2 days, 3 times 

   • Only send reminder to those who haven't completed the survey