Games for Health: A trial to determine whether using interactive video games can improve healthy-lifestyle and diabetes specific knowledge in youth (9-16years) who are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Type 2 Diabetes; Overweight/Obese; Public Health - Health promotion/education; Diet and Nutrition - Obesity; Metabolic and Endocrine - Diabetes

• Registration Number: ACTRN12619000380190
• Lead Sponsor: niversity of Auckland

Brief Summary

The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of health-related video games to help adolescents and young people at risk of type two diabetes to improve knowledge related to healthy lifestyles and prevention of the disease. Additional aims included to determine whether young people played the games, as well as their attitudes toward the games. We developed two prototype mobile games which preliminary formative research showed that young children (aged 9-13 years) liked the games (delivered via a Samsung tablet) and found them to be fun and engaging. In total, 23 participants (identifying predominantly as Samoan (n=15) and Tongan (n=6)) aged 9-12 years were recruited (body mass index; BMI ranged from 22.3 to 46 kg/m2) and randomised to one of the two games or a control game. Lifestyle knowledge and diabetes knowledge were measured at baseline, immediately after playing the game, and after four weeks. Participants randomised to the active groups were able to take the game home for the four weeks to play in order to determine sustained use. Even though attitudes towards the games were mostly positive, only one of the participants accessed the game after the testing session. He played the game three times in the first evening and twice the next day (total 33 minutes). No changes in healthy lifestyle or diabetes knowledge were found regardless of the game the children played.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Results First Posted: 1900-01-01
• Study Start: 2019-03-11
• Study Completion: 2019-09-25
• Last Update Posted: 14 April 2020

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 28

Inclusion Criteria

Young people aged 9-16 years at-risk of type 2 diabetes.
In order to be classified as being at-risk for diabetes mellitus they must either have been told by their doctor that they are at-risk for type 2 diabetes, or they are overweight/obese, or they have a family history of type 2 diabetes.
Children will also need to be living in the greater Auckland area and must be able to read and understand English.
Access to an Android device to play the game.

Exclusion Criteria

Inability to understand and/or comply with study protocol.

Study & Design

• Study Type: Interventional
• Study Design: Not specified