An interventional study of Marketing Nudges Only and Marketing Nudges + Dynamically Adapted Financial Incentives in Type 2 Diabetes, Type II Diabetes Mellitus and Type II Diabetes, sponsored by University of Pennsylvania. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 45 Years to 70 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-10-20.
Sponsored by University of Pennsylvania · Not applicable, Interventional, and Prevention
Among 17 studies in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 by University of Pennsylvania — 3 open to participants now, 5 under way, none of them phase 3. Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 · University of Pennsylvania.
Among the 17 studies in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 by University of Pennsylvania, this one is the 4th largest by enrollment of the 14 interventional ones that give a count, is one of 2 that started in 2025, is one of 10 with no phase, and was the 15th registered.
10,371 studies on the registry are indexed under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; 1,406 are open to participants now.
Browse Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 studies →3 of the 17 studies in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 by University of Pennsylvania are open now, in 1 country. Recruiting first, the newest first:
University of Pennsylvania · Sites in United States
Ages 18+ · Healthy volunteers
University of Pennsylvania · Sites in United States
Ages 10–70 · Healthy volunteers
University of Pennsylvania · Sites in United States
Ages 50+
By country, each count listing its studies:
Of the 883 Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 studies recruiting now, 373 (42%) set no upper age limit and 384 (43%) stop at 75 or younger; 52 take children under 18; 203 take healthy volunteers.
This study: 45 Years to 70 Years · all sexes · no healthy volunteers.
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17 studies; the count open now beside each. This study's row is marked.
First in 2008; this study’s year is marked. 2 started in 2025.
By drug class, each counting the studies that test any of its medicines:
This study's enrollment of 219 is above the median of 80 across 8,350 interventional studies indexed under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2.
Median enrollment 66 across the 14 interventional studies, 102 across the 3 observational. Of the 11 that completed or were terminated, 2 (18%) have results posted.
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University of Pennsylvania is the lead sponsor of 1,668 studies on the registry; 234 are open to participants now.
Of its 158 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 110 (70%) have results posted.
3 of the studies in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 by University of Pennsylvania that are under way reach primary completion within a year, 0 of them phase 3. Phase 3 first, then by date:
| Study | Primary completion |
|---|---|
| NCT07167004University of PennsylvaniaThe GRoceries Aimed at Increasing Nutrition Study | 2027-02-16 |
| NCT07444203University of PennsylvaniaTransformative Research in Diabetic Nephropathy 2.0 | 2027-05-30 |
| NCT04024631University of PennsylvaniaPhenotyping Genetic Risk for Type 2 Diabetes | 2027-06-30 |
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Among the 17 studies in Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 by University of Pennsylvania, from their registry updates:
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Only 2% of Americans meet the recommended levels of whole grain consumption, despite its association with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This study aims to assess if consumers with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes can be encouraged to switch from buying refined grain products to whole grain products when shopping for groceries online. The study will use personalized marketing strategies, with or without discounts which adjust based on purchasing behavior, to promote whole grain consumption.
The overall objective of this study is to determine if behaviorally informed marketing strategies or those same strategies plus dynamically adapted financial incentives can prompt consumers with prediabetes or diabetes to switch from refined to whole grain products when grocery shopping online. The specific aims of the study are:
Aim 1: To demonstrate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial (RCT) via an online grocery delivery platform and to refine mechanism-based marketing nudges and incentives based on user insights. The overall objective of this aim is to customize the online grocery store experience to align with the needs of the consumers while also supporting the objectives of the two intervention arms outlined in Aim 2. Customizations will include displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives. Additionally, the study team will ensure that all refined grain items have corresponding whole grain options, to the extent possible. To evaluate the platform's usability and gather insights for refining the interventions, the study team will recruit 9 participants to test the customized online grocery store. Participants will provide feedback on the online shopping environment and whole grain options in an end-of-study survey. This feedback will be used to refine the marketing nudge interventions for Aim 2.
Aim 2: To test whether behaviorally informed marketing strategies or those same strategies plus dynamically adapted financial incentives can prompt consumers with prediabetes or diabetes to switch from buying refined grain products to whole grain products when grocery shopping online. Enrolled participants will be randomized to one of three intervention arms: 1) control (no intervention), 2) marketing nudges, or 3) marketing nudges + dynamically adapted financial incentives. Participants will select groceries from the study's online grocery store, and the orders will be delivered to their homes via a third-party delivery service. The first two weeks will serve as a baseline period for data collection. Starting in Week 3, participants in intervention arms 2 and 3 will be exposed to marketing nudges promoting whole grains for 8 weeks. Participants in the third intervention arm will additionally receive personalized financial incentives with individual incentive amounts optimized weekly based on prior whole grain purchasing behavior and engagement. In a typical healthy eating incentive study, all participants would get the same incentive amount each week. An innovative aspect of this study is to dynamically adapt the incentive, so each person experiences a personalized offering of incentives each week based on their whole grain shopping habits in prior weeks. This means participants who did not buy a whole grain item in response to a smaller incentive in a prior week may receive a larger incentive than participants who did purchase whole grains when offered the smaller incentive. This will not be gameable since it will not be apparent to participants a priori. This approach enables us to mimic current retailer practices, rather than more outdated strategies that provide the same incentive weekly.
Aim 3: To examine whether whole grain purchasing behaviors have become habitual and persist after the marketing nudges and dynamically adapted financial incentives cease. The overall objective of this aim is to explore the potential for marketing strategies and dynamically adapted financial incentives to create lasting changes in grocery shopping habits, specifically by examining whether participants continue purchasing whole grain products once the intervention has ended. Participants will be followed for an additional 8 weeks post-intervention to track their online grocery shopping behavior in the absence of the marketing nudges and financial incentives. During this period, participants will continue to shop through the study's online grocery store and have their groceries delivered to them through a third-party delivery service. In addition, for the first 4 weeks of follow-up, they will continue to receive their weekly $10 incentive if they shop in the study's online grocery store. At the conclusion of the study, participants will receive a $25 incentive for completing a survey assessing the intervention's salience, their acceptance of whole grains, and any remaining barriers to switching to whole grains.
Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Completion of weekly grocery shopping in a version of the study store without any interventions (i.e., without marketing nudges and financial incentives)
Marketing nudges encouraging whole grain purchasing, including displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives
Behavioral: Marketing Nudges Only
Marketing nudges encouraging whole grain purchasing, including displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives, plus personalized financial incentives with individual incentive amounts optimized weekly based on prior whole grain purchasing behavior and engagement
Behavioral: Marketing Nudges + Dynamically Adapted Financial Incentives
Marketing nudges encouraging whole grain purchasing, including displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives
Marketing nudges encouraging whole grain purchasing, including displaying whole grains (e.g., whole wheat bread, brown rice) at the top of the study's online grocery store, featuring whole grain banner displays, and offering product swaps to highlight whole grain alternatives, plus personalized financial incentives with individual incentive amounts optimized weekly based on prior whole grain purchasing behavior and engagement
Change in calories purchased from products that are majority whole grains over time
The study team will use random-effects linear regression models to compare within-subject changes in the calories purchased from whole grains, adjusting for repeated measures, to examine trends over time.
Time frame: 18 weeks
Change in calories purchased from products that are majority refined grains over time
The study team will use random-effects linear regression models to compare within-subject changes in the calories purchased from refined grains, adjusting for repeated measures, to examine trends over time.
Time frame: 18 weeks
Percent of cart spent on whole grains (total dollar on whole grains/cart total)
The study team will use mixed effects linear models with repeated observations to compare changes in this outcome.
Time frame: 18 weeks
Change in dollars spent on products that are majority whole grains over time
The study team will use mixed effects linear models with repeated observations to compare changes in this outcome.
Time frame: 18 weeks
Assessing whole and refined grain purchasing frequency
The study team will assess the participant's self-reported purchasing frequency of different grain categories over the prior week, including rice and other cooked grains; oatmeal, grits, or other cooked cereal; cold cereal; bagels or English Muffins; breads or rolls; tortillas or wraps; pasta; and snacks (popcorn, crackers, granola bars). Response options include: never, 1 - 3 times per week, 4 - 6 times per week, 1 time per day, and 2 or more times per day.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Percentage of time grains were purchased as whole and refined grains
The study team will assess how often each of the grain categories (i.e., rice and other cooked grains; oatmeal, grits, or other cooked cereal; cold cereal; bagels or English Muffins; breads or rolls; tortillas or wraps; pasta; and snacks \[popcorn, crackers, granola bars\]) were purchased as whole and refined grain products. Response options include: Almost never or never, About 25% of the time, About 50% of the time, About 75% of the time, and Almost always or always.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Assessing whole and refined grain consumption frequency
The study team will assess the participant's self-reported consumption frequency of different grain categories over the prior week, including rice and other cooked grains; oatmeal, grits, or other cooked cereal; cold cereal; bagels or English Muffins; breads or rolls; tortillas or wraps; pasta; and snacks (popcorn, crackers, granola bars). Response options include: never, 1 - 3 times per week, 4 - 6 times per week, 1 time per day, and 2 or more times per day.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Percentage of time grains were consumed as whole and refined grains
The study team will assess how often each of the grain categories (i.e., rice and other cooked grains; oatmeal, grits, or other cooked cereal; cold cereal; bagels or English Muffins; breads or rolls; tortillas or wraps; pasta; and snacks \[popcorn, crackers, granola bars\]) were consumed as whole and refined grain products over the prior week. Response options include: Almost never or never, About 25% of the time, About 50% of the time, About 75% of the time, and Almost always or always.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Amount of grains eaten at a time
The study team will assess for each grain category how much was eaten at a time (i.e., in one sitting). Response options vary depending on the product.
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: satisfaction with current whole grain consumption
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I am satisfied with my current whole grain consumption" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: beliefs about the impact of eating whole grains on health
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I believe that eating whole grains positively impacts my health" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: enjoyment of eating whole grains
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I enjoy eating whole grains" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: efforts to include whole grains in diet
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I try to include whole grains in my diet" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: confidence in ability to include whole grains in diet
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I am confident I can include whole grains in my meals regularly" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: capability of finding whole grains when shopping
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I feel capable of finding whole grain options when grocery shopping" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: whole grain affordability
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "Whole grain products are affordable for me" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Perception of whole grains: whole grain taste
The outcome will be assessed with the following question: "I find whole grain products to be tasty" with response options structured as a 7-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree).
Time frame: Assessed at baseline and in end-of-study survey (Week 18)
Mean grams of fiber purchased from grain products
Mean grams of fiber purchased from grain products in the study store, reported overall for the study, as well as broken down by the baseline, intervention, and follow-up study periods
Time frame: 18 weeks
Plan to share: Yes — All data will be de-identified. De-identified IPD that underlie results in a publication can be requested by other researchers. The PI will review any and all requests to access the de-identified study data. SecureShare or PennBox, both secure methods to transfer files, will be used to transfer data.
Time frame: One year after publication of the main trial results.
Access criteria: The PI will review any and all requests to access the de-identified study data.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Oct 2025 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Feb 2027, 16 months after the start.
Of 2,066 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2, half reached primary completion within 21 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 40. This study's planned 16 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 2,243 studies reached it within 21 months; a quarter within 10 and three quarters within 39.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Oct 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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