Effects of Playing Pokemon Go on Physical Activity

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Physical Activity
• Interventions: Behavioral: No Play; Behavioral: Goal Oriented Play; Behavioral: At Will Play

• Registration Number: NCT03757676
• Lead Sponsor: San Diego State University

Brief Summary

The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of playing Pokémon Go to increase daily steps among young adults. The study also aimed to assess people's experience playing the game, identify specific features of the game that users like/dislike, and explore game features that may promote overall well-being.

Detailed Description

Study participants were 30 undergraduate students from a State university in California who were 18 years or older, enrolled full-time, non-Pokémon Go players, and were able to walk leisurely. Daily steps were measured for 6 consecutive weeks via the Fitbit Flex 2. Habitual activity was first measured during the first two-weeks. After the 2-week baseline assessment of physical activity and GPS travel patterns, participants were randomized to one of three study conditions for the remaining 4 weeks: (1) "No Play," (2) "Play At Will," or (3) "Goal Oriented Play". The 4-week intervention period was followed by a post-study interview completed within one week from the end of the intervention period.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2017-09-26
• Primary Completion: 2018-03-22
• Study Completion: 2018-03-31
• Status Verified: 2018-11
• Study First Submitted: 2018-11-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2018-11-27
• Last Update Submitted: 2018-11-27
• Study First Posted: 2018-11-29
• Last Update Posted: 2018-11-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

Inclusion Criteria

• Enrolled as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student at participating University
• Willingness to be randomized to one of the three study conditions
• Never played or a Novice Player of Pokemon Go (Cannot have previously exceeded Level 5)
• Not currently meeting physical activity guidelines for adults (i.e., 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and/or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity). Assessed via the GPAQ questionnaire.

Exclusion Criteria

• Unable to leisurely walk for 30 minutes consecutively

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
No Play	No Play	This 'no play' group functioned as the control group.
Goal Oriented Play	Goal Oriented Play	This group functioned as 1 of the 2 play groups.
At Will Play	At Will Play	This group functioned as 1 of the 2 play groups.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Steps per day	Six weeks	Steps per day measured via the Fitbit

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Institute for Behavioral and Community Health; 🇺🇸 San Diego, California, United States