RESUMO
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a computer-based anti-smoking game on the intent and motivation to quit tobacco. Smokers with nicotine dependence were briefly exposed to an anti-smoking game with or without an avatar resembling the smoker's self. The computer-based anti-smoking game improved participants' immediate intent and motivation to quit smoking. Embedding an avatar resembling self into the game did not result in added benefits.
Assuntos
Motivação , Abandono do Hábito de Fumar/psicologia , Prevenção do Hábito de Fumar , Fumar/psicologia , Terapia Assistida por Computador/métodos , Jogos de Vídeo/psicologia , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Promoção da Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Participação do Paciente , Terapia Recreacional/métodos , Terapia Recreacional/psicologia , Autocuidado/métodos , Autocuidado/psicologia , Abandono do Hábito de Fumar/métodos , Software , Resultado do Tratamento , Interface Usuário-Computador , Adulto JovemRESUMO
Communicating numerical estimates of cardiovascular risk (CVR) to patients encourage risk reduction actions. Avatars may enhance the risk messages ability to improve persuasion to adhere to healthy behaviors. We compared the efficacy of a computer-based aid communicating CVR with and without animated avatars for improving intention to adhere to lifestyle changes. Males with intermediate to high CVR received their risk message in 2 versions: an avatar using voice; voice only. Forty-one participants completed the study. Intent to change lifestyle showed a significant effect favoring the avatar (moderate effect size). Intent to follow medical treatments also showed a significant effect favoring the avatar (moderate effect size). An avatar-based computer aid significantly increased participants' intention to adhere to positive behavioral changes.
Assuntos
Doenças Cardiovasculares/prevenção & controle , Informação de Saúde ao Consumidor/métodos , Letramento em Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Promoção da Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/estatística & dados numéricos , Satisfação do Paciente/estatística & dados numéricos , Idoso , Comunicação , Gráficos por Computador , Instrução por Computador/métodos , Educação em Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Promoção da Saúde/métodos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/métodos , Medição de Risco/métodos , Medição de Risco/estatística & dados numéricosRESUMO
The prevalence of obesity and associated health complications are currently at unprecedented levels. Physical activity in this population can improve patient outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) self-modeling may improve self-efficacy and adherence to physical activity. We conducted a comparative study of 30 participants randomized to 3 versions of a 3D avatar-based VR intervention about exercise: virtual representation of the self exercising condition; virtual representation of other person exercising and control condition. Participants in the virtual representation of the self group significantly increased their levels of physical activity. The improvement in physical activity for participants in the visual representation of other person exercising was marginal. The improvement for the control group was not significant. However, the effect sizes for comparing the pre and post intervention physical activity levels were quite large for all three groups. We did not find any group difference in the improvements of physical activity levels and self-efficacy among sedentary, overweight or obese individuals.
