Task Instructions for Motivation

Overseen By Vishnu P Murty

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Temple University

Must not be taking: Blood flow, Alertness

Disqualifiers: Head injury, CNS illness, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

80 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Study 1 will use a novel Game Show task, in which the investigators manipulate participant's agency to control their learning environment to specify unguided exploration.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are taking medications that affect blood flow response and alertness, you will need to stop taking them to participate in this trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Game Show Task for motivation?

Research shows that game-based therapy, like the Game Show Task, can make rehabilitation more engaging and enjoyable, which helps patients stay motivated and participate longer. Studies have found that incorporating game elements, such as rewards and interactive challenges, can increase interest and effort in therapy, suggesting that similar approaches could be effective in motivating patients. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

How does the Game Show Task treatment differ from other treatments for motivation?

The Game Show Task treatment is unique because it uses game-based elements to enhance motivation, making the learning process fun and engaging. This approach differs from traditional methods by incorporating interactive and competitive elements, which can increase involvement and commitment. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Eligibility Criteria

This clinical trial is for individuals interested in how motivation affects learning. There are no specific inclusion or exclusion criteria provided, which suggests that the study may be open to a broad range of participants without strict health-related restrictions.

Inclusion Criteria

20/40 far acuity (either corrected or uncorrected)

In good medical health

Exclusion Criteria

History of head injury

Consumption of smoking and/or coffee 30 minutes prior to laboratory testing

Placement of a device contraindicated for magnetic resonance imaging including cardia pacemaker, aneurysm clip, cochlear implants, pregnancy, intra-uterine device, shrapnel, metal fragments in the eyes, neurostimulators

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Encoding Session

Participants engage in a Game Show task to manipulate agency and control their learning environment

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Immediate Memory Test

Participants complete an immediate item-associative memory test after the encoding session

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Delayed Memory Test

Participants complete a delayed item-associative memory test 24 hours after the encoding session

24 hours after encoding

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after the memory tests

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Game Show Task

Trial Overview The trial is testing how different task instructions can influence a person's motivation during a novel Game Show task. The focus is on understanding the impact of participant's control over their learning environment and unguided exploration.

Participant Groups

Group I: Motivation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Trials in which participants are motivated by agency or not in a within-subjects design

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Temple University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

321

Recruited

89,100+

Findings from Research

In a study with 37 healthy participants, incorporating game design elements like 'operant conditioning' and 'scoring' in a classic game increased playtime and enjoyment, suggesting these features can enhance engagement in rehabilitation therapies.

The positive results from this formative study pave the way for future research to test these game design parameters with stroke patients, aiming to improve their motivation and interaction during therapy sessions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design Parameters in Multimodal Games for Rehabilitation. Shah, N., Basteris, A., Amirabdollahian, F.[2021]

Gamified interventions, which often use point systems as rewards, are prevalent in behavior change strategies, with 18 out of 21 reviewed studies incorporating some form of reward system.

While rewards like points and tangible items are common, their use may hinder the development of intrinsic motivation, suggesting a need for future research to better understand how these rewards affect long-term behavior change.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What's the Point?: A Review of Reward Systems Implemented in Gamification Interventions. Lewis, ZH., Swartz, MC., Lyons, EJ.[2022]

In a study of 124 post-stroke rehabilitation patients, those using telerehabilitation (TR) who performed poorly in video game-based therapy reported lower enjoyment of their activities, which is crucial for motivation and recovery.

However, patients in TR who adjusted their recovery goals despite low performance scores showed resilience, indicating that goal adjustment can help maintain motivation and satisfaction during rehabilitation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of goal adjustment during rehabilitation from stroke. Cho, Y., Hamm, JM., Heckhausen, J., et al.[2022]

Z-DOC is a prototype serious game designed to train plastic surgery residents in the Z-plasty surgical procedure, utilizing touch-based interactions to enhance engagement and motivation among users.

The game aims to improve trainees' understanding of the Z-plasty procedure compared to traditional learning methods, suggesting a potential shift towards more interactive educational tools in medical training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Z-DOC: a serious game for Z-plasty procedure training. Shewaga, R., Knox, A., Ng, G., et al.[2022]

The mobile game-based VR rehabilitation program (MoU-Rehab) significantly improved upper extremity function in stroke patients compared to conventional therapy, as measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and other metrics.

The program was well-tolerated with no adverse effects reported, and patients expressed high satisfaction, indicating its feasibility as a rehabilitation tool for upper limb recovery after ischemic stroke.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. Choi, YH., Ku, J., Lim, H., et al.[2019]

The study introduces a customizable Jeopardy!--type game template designed for psychology courses, which can be adapted for various topics and languages, enhancing student engagement.

The authors provide their own reliable template to overcome the limitations of existing shareware options, which often have unreliable links, ensuring easier access for educators.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of PowerPoint shareware for making Jeopardy!--type games in the teaching of psychology. Lord, PB., Martin, MM., Abramson, CI.[2015]

The researchers developed a network game aimed at preventing osteoporosis in adolescent females, using Instruction System Design to create an engaging and educational experience based on thorough demand and learner analysis.

The game successfully combines entertainment with health education, enhancing adolescents' interest in and commitment to health-promoting behaviors related to osteoporosis prevention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The development of a network game to prevent osteoporosis among adolescent females]. Liou, CW., Chung, UL.[2015]

The study involving 42 participants demonstrated that as the difficulty level of a game increases, player involvement also increases, but only up to a point; if the task becomes too difficult, engagement drops significantly.

This research provides the first evidence that Motivational Intensity Theory can be applied to game design, suggesting it could help developers optimize player experience by balancing challenge and feasibility.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Player involvement as a result of difficulty: An introductory study to test the suitability of the motivational intensity approach to video game research. Strojny, P., Strojny, A., Rębilas, K.[2023]

The safety game implemented for staff training has proven to be highly effective, with participants finding it enjoyable and engaging, which enhances their motivation to learn safety procedures.

Although preparation for the game took longer than traditional lectures, it allows for immediate application of knowledge and provides valuable feedback, making it a beneficial teaching method for safety training.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Games that teach: a practical approach. Wolkenheim, BJ., Westdorp, J.[2019]

In a study with 90 participants, competing with a software-generated partner in an exercise video game significantly increased motivation and effort compared to exercising alone.

Participants who competed with the software partner against another team reported higher enjoyment and a stronger sense of teamwork, suggesting that intergroup competition can enhance the exercise experience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intergroup Competition in Exergames: Further Tests of the Köhler Effect. Moss, T., Feltz, DL., Kerr, NL., et al.[2018]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Design Parameters in Multimodal Games for Rehabilitation. [2021]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What's the Point?: A Review of Reward Systems Implemented in Gamification Interventions. [2022]

3. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The role of goal adjustment during rehabilitation from stroke. [2022]

4. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Z-DOC: a serious game for Z-plasty procedure training. [2022]

5. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. [2019]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of PowerPoint shareware for making Jeopardy!--type games in the teaching of psychology. [2015]

7. China (Republic : 1949- ) pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[The development of a network game to prevent osteoporosis among adolescent females]. [2015]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Player involvement as a result of difficulty: An introductory study to test the suitability of the motivational intensity approach to video game research. [2023]

9. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Games that teach: a practical approach. [2019]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intergroup Competition in Exergames: Further Tests of the Köhler Effect. [2018]