1. Using Digital Games and Game Technologies to Promote Fitness Debra Lieberman, Ph.D. UC Santa Barbara and Health Games Research Best Practices in Fitness Promotion Conference Santa Barbara County Public Health May 11, 2012

2. Well designed games are: Powerful experiences

3. Interactive

4. Immersive

5. Challenging and motivating

6. Mission-driven, goal-driven

7. Rewarding, fun

8. Boost knowledge and skills

9. Give feedback and chances to try again

10. Social

11. Inter-generational

12. Therapeutic

13. Springboards for discussion and support

14. Icebreakers that foster closer relationships

15. Networked, mobile, always available

16. Tools and sensors expand game design options

17. Being a character or helping a character influences self-concepts, attitudes about health

18. Rehearsal and success improve self confidence

19. Diabetes Smoking prevention Asthma Interactive video games for health behavior change

20. Clinical Trial Results Medical Informatics, 22(1), 1997 Stanford and Kaiser outpatients 59 diabetic children, ages 8 - 16 Randomized, controlled 6-month trial Voluntary, at-home use 34 hours of play per child urgent care and ER visits 77% reduction in

21. Research gives us: Behavioral health strategies Learning strategies Evidence – did the game improve health behaviors and outcomes? How? Principles of health game design

22. Can playing digital games improve our health? Yes! Studies find improvements in: Healthy eating, physical activity, weight loss Cancer prevention, alcohol relapse prevention, smoking prevention Self-management of chronic diseases Adherence: Following one’s treatment plan Cognitive skills Physical therapy, phobia therapy Clinical skills … and much more

23. Active games – Exergames Exergames – require physical exertion to play Dance pads (DDR), cameras (Xbox Kinect) Many studies find that they are motivating and they help with weight loss, aerobic fitness Positive impacts on social relationships, school engagement and performance, self-concepts Possible “gateway” to a physically active lifestyle

24. Active games – Mobile games Sensors and network support fitness activities Gather data about steps, distance, location, heart rate Local company: DigiFit RunKeeper, Nike Plus, Zamzee, FitBit Links to social network, for social support Can be motivating, supportive, effective

25. Nutrition Games Cooking, quizzes, food groups, grocery shopping, meal planning, safe food handling, calorie counting, portion control Escape from Diab, Squire’s Quest, Amazing Food Detective, Nutrition Sleuth, Dining Decisions, Perfect Plate, Snack Dash, Lunch Crunch Research finds that Escape from Diab and Squire’s Quest increase fruit & vegetable servings per day We need better nutrition games – great potential

26. Use the online, searchable Health Games Research Database www.healthgamesresearch.org/db Health games Publications Resources Organizations Events

27. Thank you! Learn more at: www.healthgamesresearch.org Funded by the Pioneer Portfolio of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Debra Lieberman, Ph.D. Director, Health Games Research UC Santa Barbara