Effects of Playing Pokemon Go on Physical Activity

Physical Activity Clinical Trial

Official title:

Effects of Playing Pokemon Go on Physical Activity

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT03757676
• Other study ID #: HS-2017-0235
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: September 26, 2017
• Est. completion date: March 31, 2018

Study information

• Verified date: November 2018
• Source: San Diego State University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial 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.

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.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 30
• Est. completion date: March 31, 2018
• Est. primary completion date: March 22, 2018
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 25 Years

Eligibility

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

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Physical Activity

Intervention

Behavioral:
• No Play
Participants in this group were asked not to download or play Pokémon Go during the study period and were asked to simply continue with their normal daily activities. Participants were asked to wear the Fitbit device and use the GPS app on their mobile phones during the 6-week study period. Starting the fifth week, participants were prompted to complete five (5) brief daily surveys on their phones via the EMA app.
• At Will Play
Participants in this group were asked to download Pokémon Go and play for at least 30 minutes initially, then play as much or as little as desired during the 4 week intervention period, with no specific instruction or goals for play. Participants were asked to wear the Fitbit device and use the GPS app on their mobile phones during the 6-week study period. Starting the fifth week, participants were prompted to complete five (5) brief daily surveys on their phones via the EMA app.
• Goal Oriented Play
Participants in this group were asked to download and play Pokémon Go and achieve a minimum player level of 20 within the game during the study period. They were given materials that described game features and functions to show them how to play the game. There were no restrictions on which features to pursue within the game to achieve this goal nor on how long or how frequent their play sessions should be. Upon reaching their goal (Level 20), participants were encouraged to continue to play as much or as little as they desired. Participants were asked to wear the Fitbit device and use the GPS app on their mobile phones during the 6-week study period. Starting the fifth week, participants were prompted to complete five (5) brief daily surveys on their phones via the EMA app.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Institute for Behavioral and Community Health	San Diego	California

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
San Diego State University	University of Southern California

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Steps per day	Steps per day measured via the Fitbit	Six weeks