Metabolic response to playing video games
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN22537903 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN22537903 |
| Protocol serial number | N/A |
| Sponsor | University College London (UK) |
| Funder | University College London Institute of Child Health - Childhood Nutrition Research Centre (UK) |
- 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
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
Scientific
University College London
Institute of Child Health
Childhood Nutrition Research Centre
30 Guilford Street
London
WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Randomised trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Metabolic response to playing video games: a randomised trial |
| Study objectives | Indices 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) studied | Cardiovascular disease and obesity |
| Intervention | Randomisation 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 type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Blood pressure |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Anthropometry (weight, height) |
| Completion date | 01/04/2011 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 30 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Target sample size at registration | 48 |
| Total final enrolment | 48 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Healthy young men 2. Aged 18-30 years |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. 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 enrolment | 01/06/2009 |
| Date of final enrolment | 01/04/2011 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
WC1N 1EH
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not 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 |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
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.
