NCT03749473

Evaluation of the Novel Use of Gamification With Alternative Goal-setting Experiences

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 500 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Pennsylvania · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

To use a randomized controlled trial to test the effectiveness of four goal-setting strategies within a gamification intervention to increase physical activity among adults at elevated risk for ASCVD.

Detailed description

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the United States. While increased physical activity can reduce this risk, less than half of adults in the United States meet the minimum recommendation guidelines for physical activity. Gamification, or the application of game design elements to non-game settings, has demonstrated promise in increasing physical activity when designed using insights from behavioral economics. However, the best way to design goal-setting within these interventions has not been well-examined. In this randomized controlled trial, the investigators will evaluate the effectiveness of four different goal-setting strategies within a gamification intervention to increase physical activity among adults with elevated risk for ASCVD. The trial will include a 2-week run-in period to estimate a baseline, followed by an 8-week introductory phase, an 8-week maintenance phase, and then after the intervention is completed an 8-week follow-up period.

Conditions

• Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Choice + Immediate	Participants in the choice + immediate goal arm will choose a step goal and must attempt to achieve this new step goal immediately at the start of the study.
BEHAVIORAL	Choice + Gradual	Participants in the choice + gradual goal arm will choose a step goal and will gradually work towards the chosen step goal over the first 8-weeks of the study.
BEHAVIORAL	Assigned + Immediate	Participants in the assigned + immediate goal arm will be assigned a step goal and must attempt to achieve this new step goal immediately at the start of the study.
BEHAVIORAL	Assigned + Gradual	Participants in the assigned + gradual goal arm will be assigned a step goal and will gradually work towards the chosen step goal over the first 8-weeks of the study.
BEHAVIORAL	Daily performance feedback	Participants will receive daily performance feedback on their daily step count.
BEHAVIORAL	Gamification	All participants in the intervention arms will be entered into a gamification platform that has points and levels designed to incorporate insights from behavioral economics.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-01-14
• Primary completion: 2020-06-01
• Completion: 2020-06-01
• First posted: 2018-11-21
• Last updated: 2020-06-04

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States