Improving Oral Health With Serious Games (AOTSM)

University of Washington

Status: Completed

Conditions: Cavities; Tooth Decay; Caries; Gingivitis

Treatments: Other: SnowWorld; Other: Attack of the S. Mutans; Other: Follow-up

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT02027597

5R44DE019043-02 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

35095-EB

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Enrollment: 161 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 8 to 12 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

For participation in the study, enrollment criteria are as follows: 1) a dentist's diagnosis of tooth decay, or restorative dental work in the previous year; and 2) Parents or guardians provide usable baseline data, including contact information for follow-up questionnaires.

Exclusion criteria

None

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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161 participants in 3 patient groups

Video Game Treatment

Experimental group

Description:

This group received the AOTSM game experience followed by additional oral health information. They did not receive any follow-up treatment after the exhibit.

Treatment:

Other: Attack of the S. Mutans

Control

Active Comparator group

Description:

Instead of playing Attack of the S. Mutans!, children in the control group attended a 90 minute classroom session about virtual reality applications for relieving pain and for therapy. This content was unrelated to oral health.

Treatment:

Other: SnowWorld

Video Game Treatment Plus Follow-Up

Experimental group

Description:

Children assigned to the Treatment-Plus conditions not only had the Attack of the S. Mutans video game experience, but also gained access to an educational website that reinforced the exhibit's teachings two months later. These students received a special login and password in the mail and were instructed to visit the site before completing their next questionnaire.

Treatment:

Other: Follow-up

Other: Attack of the S. Mutans