Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40487674›Full record

ArticleObesity pillars2025

The introduction of a new mobile lifestyle tool in the battle against hypothalamic obesity; the "HAPPYthalamus" application.

I M A A van Roessel, M J de Koning, M V Birk, J Blom, J Dekker, E J M Feskens, J P de Graaf, Y Lu, D A Lucassen, E Pondaag and 2 more

Erratum issuedAbstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Obesity pillars, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

I M A A van RoesselPrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
M J de KoningDepartment of Pediatric Endocrinology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center, Lundlaan 6, 3584 EA, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
M V BirkHuman-Technology Interaction Group, Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences (IEIS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
J BlomDepartment of Physiotherapy, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
J DekkerDepartment of Dietetics, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
E J M FeskensDivision of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
J P de GraafDutch Pituitary Foundation, Nijkerk, the Netherlands.
Y LuIndustrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology, Groene Loper 3, 5612 AE, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
D A LucassenDivision of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University, Stippeneng 4, 6708 WE, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
E PondaagDirection Information Technology, Business Solutions, Team Interactive Media, Digital Experience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 100, 3584 CX, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
W J E TissingPrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
H M van SantenPrincess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Children with hypothalamic dysfunction may experience hypothalamic weight gain, marked by severe hyperphagia, low energy expenditure, and reduced initiative. We developed the mobile app "HAPPYthalamus" to support these children by promoting exercise, providing distraction from hyperphagia, and rewarding healthy behavior. This study evaluated the app's usability and patient satisfaction. Methods: This was a non-randomized, explorative intervention study. Children (8-18 years) with hypothalamic dysfunction and a suprasellar brain tumor were included. Patients were instructed to use the mobile application (app) for six months. We applied a mixed-methods design evaluating app use and satisfaction through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Results: Of 22 patients, 15 scored positive on learning to use the app. Positive effects on eating distraction were reported by 9 patients. The app was not well adapted to different age groups; some found the challenges motivating while others were indifferent to winning challenges and forgot the app due to limited variety. Overall, 64% of the children indicated the app should be part of the standard of care. Conclusions: A mobile app as a lifestyle buddy for children with hypothalamic dysfunction is useable but needs improvements. Adapting to age groups and incorporating behavioral change theories, gamification, and reward systems could enhance engagement and support a healthier lifestyle.

Indexed as

HyperphagiaHypothalamic dysfunctionMobile applicationRewardSuprasellar brain tumor

Identifiers

PMID40487674
PMCPMC12138393

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.