Impact of Gaming (Gamification) on Diabetes Self-Care Behaviors and Glycemic Outcomes Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.
Veronica Joyce Brady, Nitha Mathew Joseph, Hsiao-Hui Ju
PMID 37927059WHAT IT FOUND
Game-based diabetes programs did not consistently improve the blood sugar outcome A1C.
Some increased physical activity, glucose monitoring, diet adherence, or foot care, but studies were small and varied. Competition may help sustain activity.
Key findings
01Across the 6 studies that examined A1C, 3 reported significant improvement, 2 reported nonsignificant reduction, and 1 found no change.
02Two of the 3 exercise video game studies found significant changes in physical activity.
03No included study reported medication-taking or problem-solving outcomes.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The review included 9 studies, 5 RCTs and 4 quasi-experimental studies, with 1370 participants and sample sizes from 10 to 456. One RCT was excluded because it was judged low quality. Many included studies had small samples, short durations, and limited diversity in age, gender, and ethnicity. Games and outcome measures were highly varied, so studies could not be compared directly. A1C results were mixed: 3 significant improvements, 2 nonsignificant reductions, and 1 no change. No study reported medication-taking or problem-solving outcomes. Lower-income participants may not afford smartphones or have access to high-speed Internet. Minimal information on diabetes duration, metabolic factors, glycemic level, and medications left potential confounding.
Declared interests
The article states funding was none.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this review as showing that gamification lowers A1C or improves all diabetes self-care. The A1C results were mixed, and no study reported medication-taking or problem-solving. The included studies were small and varied, so they cannot identify which game components work.