Gamified Versus Non-gamified Metaverse Learning for Breast Health Knowledge in Women: Randomized Controlled Trial

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Health Education
• Metaverse Technology

Background:

• The metaverse offers immersive health education, but studies often combine immersion and gamification.
• Limited randomized evidence exists on the separate effects of gamification and immersion in breast health education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the distinct impact of gamification, separate from immersion, on immediate and 4-week retention of breast health knowledge.
• To isolate gamification's effect within an identical immersive metaverse environment.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving 72 women in Hangzhou, China, comparing a Gamified Metaverse (GM) group and a Non-Gamified Metaverse (NGM) group.
• Both groups used the Mammoverse platform with identical content and duration; breast health knowledge was assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 4-week follow-up.
• Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze changes in knowledge scores, controlling for covariates.

Main Results:

• Knowledge scores increased in both groups, with significantly larger immediate gains in the GM group (Hedges g=0.65, p=.007).
• No significant difference in knowledge change was observed between groups from post-intervention to 4-week follow-up (p=.91).
• The GM group maintained higher absolute knowledge levels at 4 weeks (15.7 vs 13.0).

Conclusions:

• Gamification in a 3D desktop metaverse significantly enhances immediate breast cancer screening (BSE) knowledge acquisition in Chinese women.
• Gamification did not offer additional short-term retention benefits but led to higher absolute knowledge at 4 weeks.
• Future research should integrate memory consolidation strategies into gamified metaverse frameworks to optimize long-term retention.