The impact of narratives and active video games on long-term moderate-to-vigorous physical activity: A randomized controlled trial protocol

Abstract

Background: Although physical activity (PA) has been shown in helping prevent and treat obesity, current PA interventions are still not effective in ameliorating the obesity epidemic. Additional forms of PA need to be investigated to improve PA engagement and outcomes. We hypothesize that pairing a narrative (i.e., story) with an active video game (AVG), a less traditional form of PA, will increase participant engagement in PA. This paper presents the rationale, implementation, and pilot results of a study assessing the effect of narrative's impact on PA and a series of other health outcomes.

Objective: This paper presents the rationale, implementation, and pilot results of a study assessing the effect of narrative's impact on PA and a series of other health outcomes.

Methods/design: The Active Video Game Study is a six-month randomized controlled single-blind trial projected to include 210 participants. The intervention strategy will pair a narrative to an active video game (AVG). Participants will be randomized into 3 groups: condition A [Narrative + AVG], condition B [AVG Only], and condition C [Control]. Participants will undergo three in-person data collection visits over the course of six months. Inclusion criteria are that children are between the ages of 8-12 and have a BMI ≥ 85%. The primary outcome is change in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Secondary outcome measures include change in BMI percentile, fasting insulin and glucose, lipid panel, C-reactive protein, and cognitive function. A pilot trial of n = 6 was conducted to help develop procedures and address problems that could arise in the main trial.

Discussion: Successful completion of this study will provide the empirical basis for novel intervention and design strategies to enhance the impact of AVGs on long-term MVPA.

Fig. 1.

Presents an overview of the overall timeline of participation and an overview of the individual visit components. Participants will undergo three visits in ~25 weeks, depending on schedule adherence. Condition A will receive three episodes uploaded weekly in between visits, and three active video games in between each visit. Condition B will receive three active video games in between each visit. Condition C will receive the games and XBox at the end of their participation. Each of the three visits follow similar procedures; however, visit 1 has the addition of a consent/assent form review and an agreement review.

Fig. 2.

Presents an overview of the first visit flow. A * indicates a step exclusive to visit 1, and a ** indicates a step that is modified for future visits.