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. 2024 Apr 12:6:1334840.
doi: 10.3389/fdgth.2024.1334840. eCollection 2024.

A game-based learning approach to sleep hygiene education: a pilot investigation

Christine Seaver  1 , Clint Bowers  1 , Deborah Beidel  1 , Lisa Holt  2 , Sridhar Ramakrishnan  2
Affiliations

A game-based learning approach to sleep hygiene education: a pilot investigation

Christine Seaver et al. Front Digit Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep hygiene education (SHE) consists of environmental and behavioral practices primarily intended to reduce sleep problems. Currently considered ineffective as a stand-alone treatment, the manner in which the education is typically delivered may be ineffective for the acquisition of new knowledge. The purpose of this study was to determine if a more engaging teaching medium may improve the efficacy of sleep hygiene education. This study examined the use of game-based learning to teach SHE to individuals with sleep problems.

Methods: 35 participants played the SHE games for 30 days. Differences in pre- and post-state anxiety and sleep quality measures were examined.

Results: Participants had significant improvements in sleep quality and state anxiety after using the app for 30 days, although scores for the majority of patients remained elevated.

Discussion: This pilot investigation provides initial evidence for the efficacy of a game-based approach to SHE.

Keywords: game-based learning; games for health; serious games; sleep hygiene; sleep hygiene education (SHE).

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers, at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Healthy Habits. A Quiz-based game to teach players sleep hygiene principles.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Sleep Scrutiny. Players prepare virtual bedroom for sleep.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Vigilant Voyage. Players progress along the map as they earn points for meeting sleep goals.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Players log in daily to claim which sleep goals they met the previous day.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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