ISRCTN ISRCTN22537903
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN22537903
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
20/02/2012
Registration date
21/03/2012
Last edited
30/01/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Videogames are an extremely popular pastime, in particular amongst young people. Research has suggested that “passive” activities such as watching television and computer gaming increase the risk of excess weight gain and obesity. However, computer games are very variable, and not all involve passive participation. For example, many computer games involve exposure to violent images during simulated violent encounters. Such games involve the participant responding at high speed to simulated experiences which, in real life, would be highly stressful. In real life, stress generates many metabolic effects, including those associated with cardiovascular risk. Chronic exposure to stress, for example in the work place, has been associated with central obesity (excessive fat around the stomach). It is unknown whether simulations of violence in computer games generate the same kinds of stress response. The aim of the study is to understand if playing computer games has different effects from watching television, and if playing violent computer games generates different effects to playing non-violent games.

Who can participate?
Our study is open to healthy young men aged between 18 and 30 years.

What does the study involve?
The study involves a single visit to UCL Institute of Child Health, London. Participants will be randomly allocated to one of three activities: (a) watching television, (b) playing a non-violent computer game, or (c) playing a computer game involving high levels of simulated violence. Measurements of weight, height, heart rate, blood pressure and a saliva sample will be taken.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All participants will learn their current weight, height and BMI, and they will also be given their blood pressure results. There are no known risks to participants.

Where is the study run from?
UCL Institute of Child Health in the Childhood Nutrition Research Centre (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is expected to be run for?
January 2010 to April 2011

Who is funding the study?
The Childhood Nutrition Research Centre at UCL Institute of Child Health

Who is the main contact?
Prof. Jonathan Wells
Jonathan.Wells@ucl.ac.uk

Contact information

Prof Jonathan Wells
Scientific

University College London
Institute of Child Health
Childhood Nutrition Research Centre
30 Guilford Street
London
WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designRandomised trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeOther
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleMetabolic response to playing video games: a randomised trial
Study objectivesIndices of metabolism and cardiovascular risk differ between those watching television, those playing a sport computer game, and those playing a violent video game.
Ethics approval(s)University College London (UCL) Graduate School Ethics Committee, 19/05/2009, ref: 0326/004
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedCardiovascular disease and obesity
InterventionRandomisation to one of three groups:
1. Watching television
2. Playing sports video games
3. Violent video games

The study involved a single 1-hour measurement session for each participant, when they were requested to participate in their randomly-specified activity (watching television, playing a sports computer game, or playing a violent video game). The study was completed at the end of this session and no further follow up was conducted.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureBlood pressure
Secondary outcome measures1. Anthropometry (weight, height)
2. Saliva samples for assessment of salivary cortisol
3. Visual-scale ratings of appetite
4. Heart rate
Overall study start date01/06/2009
Completion date01/04/2011

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit30 Years
SexMale
Target number of participantsThree groups of young men (16 per group) - 48
Total final enrolment48
Key inclusion criteria1. Healthy young men
2. Aged 18-30 years
Key exclusion criteria1. Smokers
2. Body mass index (BMI) <18 or >25 kg/m2
3. Weight-unstable (i.e. a change of more than 3kg in the previous 3 months)
4. Diabetic or hypertensive individuals
5. Those with chronic or acute medical conditions or medications that might affect the primary outcomes of the study
6. Those with psychiatric disorders
7. Consuming less than 21 units of alcohol per week
Date of first enrolment01/06/2009
Date of final enrolment01/04/2011

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

University College London
London
WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University College London (UK)
University/education

Institute of Child Health
30 Guilford Street
London
WC1N 1EH
England
United Kingdom

Email Susan.Harrison@gosh.nhs.uk
Website http://www.ucl.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/02jx3x895

Funders

Funder type

University/education

University College London Institute of Child Health - Childhood Nutrition Research Centre (UK)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 01/12/2013 30/01/2020 Yes No

Editorial Notes

30/01/2020: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
09/08/2016: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.