Social Incentives + Gamification for Physical Activity
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
Higher levels of physical activity have been demonstrated to improve health across a wide range of contexts and reduce cognitive decline as adults become older, but more than half of all adults in the United States do not meet their physical activity goals. One type of physical activity that is broadly applicable to people of all ages is walking. This study will use a Hybrid Type 1 effectiveness-implementation design to adapt and test the effectiveness of two successful social incentive-based interventions, a gamification strategy and financial incentives donated to charity on the participants behalf, to increase physical activity among low-income, mostly minority families in community settings.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.
Is the use of social incentives and gamification for physical activity safe for humans?
How does the treatment 'Social Goals through Incentives to Charity, Social Incentive Gamification' differ from other treatments for increasing physical activity?
This treatment is unique because it combines social incentives (influences from social connections) with gamification (using game design elements in non-game contexts) to motivate people to be more active. Unlike traditional methods, it leverages social ties and game-like rewards to create a scalable and engaging approach to increase physical activity.24678
What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Daily Performance Feedback, Social Goals through Incentives to Charity, Social Incentive Gamification for increasing physical activity?
Research shows that using gamification and social incentives can effectively increase engagement and motivation in health-related behaviors. For example, gamification has been used successfully to improve adherence to health care practices and motivate clinicians, leading to better health outcomes.29101112
Who Is on the Research Team?
Karen Glanz, PhD, MPH
Principal Investigator
University of Pennsylvania
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for families in Philadelphia with at least one member aged 60 or older, where all participants are over 14 years old, can give informed consent, speak English, and have a smartphone. It's not for those already in a physical activity study or who cannot safely do the activities due to health issues.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Intervention
Participants receive either the Social Incentive Gamification or Social Goals through Incentives to Charity intervention, or are part of the control group, for 12 months
Follow-up
Participants receive Daily Performance Feedback and are monitored for changes in physical activity for 6 months
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Daily Performance Feedback
- Social Goals through Incentives to Charity
- Social Incentive Gamification
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Lead Sponsor
University of Pennsylvania
Lead Sponsor
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Collaborator