A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Interventions for Sexual Health Promotion Involving Serious Digital Games
- 1 April 2015
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in Games for Health Journal
- Vol. 4 (2), 78-90
- https://doi.org/10.1089/g4h.2014.0110
Abstract
Objective: Serious games may be effective in promoting sexual health behavior. Their confidential nature may encourage users to discuss sensitive sexuality topics. Furthermore, they can tailor messages to the individual's needs and may be intrinsically motivating. This meta-analysis investigates the effectiveness of interventions for sexual health promotion that use serious games. Materials and Methods: A database search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for publications before the end of July 2013. Serious digital games studies measuring effects on behavior or its determinants, using a control condition, allowing the calculation of an effect size (Hedges' g, random-effects model) were included. Results: Seven game studies for sexual health promotion were included. These showed positive effects on determinants (g=0.242; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.129, 0.356), albeit of small effect size. The effects on behavior, measured in only two studies, were not significant (g=0.456; 95 percent confidence interval, −0.649, 1.561). Most games did not use many game features that are considered to be immersive or enhancing flow. Instead, there was a strong reliance on pure gamification features, such as rewards and feedback. Conclusions: The effectiveness of the next generation of games may be enhanced by building on the behavioral change and educational gaming literatures (e.g., using role-play and simulation game formats, individual tailoring, offering adaptation in the difficulty of the challenge, and amount and timing of the feedback). There is a need for studies with rigorous evaluations of game effectiveness, longer-term follow-up, and using measures of behavior rather than merely their determinants.This publication has 59 references indexed in Scilit:
- Role of Video Games in Improving Health-Related Outcomes: A Systematic ReviewAmerican Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2012
- Behavioural interventions for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in young people aged 13-19 years: a systematic reviewHealth Education Research, 2012
- Moving Beyond the Stigma: Systematic Review of Video Games and Their Potential to Combat ObesityInternational Journal of Hypertension, 2011
- Computer-Assisted HIV Prevention for Youth With Substance Use DisordersSubstance Use & Misuse, 2010
- It's Your Game: Keep It Real: Delaying Sexual Behavior with an Effective Middle School ProgramJournal of Adolescent Health, 2010
- Efficacy of computer technology-based HIV prevention interventions: a meta-analysisAIDS, 2009
- Computer-delivered interventions for health promotion and behavioral risk reduction: A meta-analysis of 75 randomized controlled trials, 1988–2007Preventive Medicine, 2008
- Measuring inconsistency in meta-analysesBMJ, 2003
- Health promotion from the perspective of social cognitive theoryPsychology & Health, 1998