Adherence
Gamified digital interventions produce a small-to-medium increase in physical activity compared to control groups, with effects persisting after the intervention ends.
To increase physical activity, try using a gamified app or wearable that tracks your steps or workouts and rewards you with points, badges, or social competition. The key is consistency; these tools work best when integrated into your daily routine for at least a few weeks. While the effect is modest, it is superior to standard tracking without game elements and can help sustain activity levels even after the initial novelty wears off.
The main meta-analysis performed on 16 studies and 2407 participants revealed a small to medium summary effect of gamified interventions on PA behavior (Hedges g=0.42, 95% CI 0.14-0.69)... The long-term effect (measured with follow-up averaging 14 weeks after the end of the intervention) was weaker, with a very small to small effect (Hedges g=0.15, 95% CI 0.07-0.23).
Why this rating
Based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of 16 RCTs, though heterogeneity was high.
Source
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Gamification on Physical Activity: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Alexandre Mazéas et al. · Journal of Medical Internet Research · 2021
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