Improving Oral Health With Serious Games

Summary

This study investigated if computer games can be effective at changing the way children take care of their teeth. We a museum exhibit with 3D virtual reality games called "Attack of the S. Mutans!" Our hypothesis was that children who played the games and visited the exhibit would show improved attitudes about oral health, which would translate into improved brushing and self-care habits.

In this randomized controlled study with school children aged 8-12, we compared the outcomes for three groups: Group 1) Visited Attack of the S. Mutans!; Group 2) Experienced a hands-on classroom presentation about virtual reality being used for healthcare; Group 3) Received no-treatment.

Conditions

• Caries
• Tooth Decay
• Cavities
• Gingivitis

Interventions

OTHER

SnowWorld

SnowWorld is a 3D first-person-shooter game developed by Firsthand Technology. In SnowWorld, the player shoots snowballs at penguins, polar bears, and other features of a frozen landscape. The game is designed to help burn victims cope with pain, and has no oral health messages.

OTHER

Attack of the S. Mutans

A research assistant led groups of students through the Attack of the S. Mutans exhibit. All participants played all the games and viewed all the graphical content of the exhibit.

OTHER

Follow-up

This group experienced the Attack of the S. Mutans! exhibit and 3 doses of follow-up booster content at a web site.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

  collaborator NIH

• National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

  collaborator NIH

• University of Washington

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Howard A Rose, M.Ed. · Firsthand Technology

• Ari J Hollander, MSE · Firsthand Technology

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

8 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2008-10-31

Primary Completion

2010-12-31

Completion

2011-08-31

Countries

• United States

Study Locations