Adherence Automation Part 2: The Stoplight

Participants in a study have many responsibilities, and knowing where they stand should not be one of them. In traditional studies, participants lack a clear, real-time sense of progress—and when a task gets missed, the next one is more likely to be missed, too. That’s not a willpower problem; it’s how habits work. Past behavior tends to predict future behavior, and small goal lapses can knock motivation off course. A big reason overall adherence in long-term programs sits near the 50% mark is this snowball effect. (Ouellette 2025)

A simple signal that keeps you moving

On the Alethios participant dashboard, the Stoplight gives you an instant, color-coded read on progress—no math, no guesswork.

How we calculate it: Your status is based on adherence = tasks completed ÷ tasks assigned during the study. Tasks may be bundled into instruments (like a Daily Check-In + short questionnaire); you earn credit when the instrument is completed.

• Green — you’re on track (in many studies, that’s ≥80% of assigned tasks completed in the current window).
  
  
• Yellow — you’re close but slipping; a few quick completions will put you back on pace.
  
  
• Red — you’re below the study’s target and need to complete upcoming items to recover, or reach out to the Alethios team to get support.
  
  

Your research team sets the exact thresholds, and Alethios displays them clearly on your dashboard so expectations are transparent from day one.

One miss ≠ lost week

Missed a task? It doesn’t have to spiral. The Stoplight pairs a clear status with timely nudges so you know what to do next—finish the next prompt, or, in some studies, reach out quickly to see if a task can be made up within the allowed window. We’ll also notify you when you’re falling behind, so you have time to course-correct before the window closes. This turns a potential streak of misses into a single, recoverable blip. 

Why it helps you

• Instant clarity: You always know where you stand and what moves the needle.
  
  
• Momentum over perfection: Small wins keep you in motion, protecting against the “I already slipped, so why try?” trap.
  
  
• Fair rewards: In many studies, compensation is paid when you’re in the green, so the Stoplight helps you hit the mark confidently.
  
  

Quick tips to stay (or get back) in green

1. Tap the reminder when it arrives
2. Finish bundled items together for full credit
3. If life happens, message the team promptly about make-ups.
   
   

This isn’t here to score you—it’s here to steer you, turning your activity into clear next steps and timely nudges. The Stoplight gives you a simple, supportive way to track progress, recover from slips, and finish strong.

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Ouellette, Judith A., and Wendy Wood. “Habit and Intention in Everyday Life: The Multiple Processes by Which Past Behavior Predicts Future Behavior.” Psychological Bulletin, vol. 124, no. 1, 1998, pp. 54–74. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.124.1.54. Accessed 15 Sept. 2025.