Effect of a Digital Health Physical Activity Program Integrating Gamification for Obesity Management in Comparison...

Area of Science:

• Digital health interventions
• Gamification in chronic disease management
• Physical activity promotion

Background:

• Limited evidence exists comparing digital interventions with usual care for chronic diseases.
• Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) need to incorporate individual variability and dynamic behavior change assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy of the Kiplin digital gamified intervention against usual care in improving physical activity and clinical outcomes.
• To assess the cost-effectiveness of the Kiplin program for adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Main Methods:

• A 2-arm parallel RCT randomized 50 adults with obesity or T2D to either the Kiplin program or usual care.
• Interventions lasted 3 months with a 6-month follow-up; primary outcome was daily step count measured by wearables.
• Idiographic analyses and cost-utility analysis were performed.

Main Results:

• Kiplin participants showed greater increases in daily steps (+1085 steps/day intervention, +1775 steps/day follow-up) compared to usual care.
• Significant heterogeneity in individual responses was observed, with some participants showing no improvement.
• No significant differences in most secondary clinical outcomes, but improved moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in the Kiplin group; cost-utility analysis showed no difference.

Conclusions:

• Digital gamified interventions like Kiplin show potential for promoting sustained physical activity.
• Individual heterogeneity necessitates tailored approaches and screening tools for digital health interventions.
• Further large-scale studies are needed to confirm long-term clinical and economic impacts.