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Metabolic Response to Playing Video Games

University College London (UCL) logo

University College London (UCL)

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Blood Pressure

Treatments

Behavioral: Call of Duty
Behavioral: FIFA2013
Behavioral: Watching TV

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT01809470
UCL-VG-001

Details and patient eligibility

About

The study is investigating the metabolic response to playing competitive non-violent and competitive violent video games. The primary hypothesis is that the metabolic response in the violent game group will differ from the other two groups, due to activation of the stress response. The investigators are using an experimental approach, whereby 72 young men are randomised to one of three groups: watching television (TV), playing the non-violent video game 'FIFA2013', or playing the violent video game 'Call of Duty'. Participants arrive fasted, and are given a standardised breakfast. After measurements of weight, height and waist girth, they then are assigned to one of the three groups. Baseline blood pressure, heart rate and appetite/mood data are collected, along with a saliva sample for measurement of the 'stress' hormone, cortisol. The investigators will collect these data again at 4 time-points during the one hour game-playing session. At the end of the study, the allow the participants half an hour of rest, during which they can choose from a variety of sweet or savoury snacks. The investigators will compare the data from the three groups, to test whether changes in blood pressure, heart rate and salivary cortisol, as well as snack consumption, are greater in the group playing the violent game.

Full description

Our study is investigating the metabolic response to playing competitive non-violent and competitive violent video games. Our primary hypothesis is that the metabolic response in the violent game group will differ from the other two groups, due to activation of the stress response.

We are using an experimental approach, whereby 72 young men are randomised to one of three groups: watching TV, playing the non-violent video game 'FIFA2013', or playing the violent video game 'Call of Duty'. All participants must already have some experience playing the two games, so that whichever group they are assigned to, they can comply with the protocol.

Participants arrive after an overnight fast, and are given a standardised breakfast (a muffin, approx 300 kcal, and a glass of water). After measurements of weight, height and waist girth, they then are assigned to one of the three groups, and allowed to familiarise themselves with the games console or TV. Baseline data on blood pressure (in triplicate, Accutor digital monitor), heart rate (Polar monitor) and appetite/mood (visual analogue scale) are collected, along with a saliva sample for measurement of the 'stress' hormone, cortisol, as well as satiety hormones sich as leptin and ghrelin. We will collect these data again at 4 time-points during the one hour game-playing session, by pausing the game or TV for 4 minutes at 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after the session starts.

At the end of the study, we allow the participants half an hour of rest, during which they can choose from a variety of sweet or savoury snacks or fruit, and several drinks.

We will compare the data from the three groups, to test whether changes in blood pressure, heart rate, appetite/mood and salivary hormones, as well as snack consumption, are greater in the group playing the violent game.

Enrollment

72 estimated patients

Sex

Male

Ages

18 to 30 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

  • BMI >25 kg/m2

Exclusion criteria

  • smoker
  • weight change >3 kg in the previous three months
  • psychiatric disorder
  • uncontrolled hypertension
  • coronary heart disease, heart failure and central or peripheral arteriopathies
  • alcohol consumption > 21 units/week.

Trial design

Primary purpose

Basic Science

Allocation

Randomized

Interventional model

Parallel Assignment

Masking

Single Blind

72 participants in 3 patient groups

Watching TV
Experimental group
Description:
Watching TV (comedy, 'Friends') for 1 hour
Treatment:
Behavioral: Watching TV
FIFA2013
Experimental group
Description:
Playing the video game 'FIFA2013' for 1 hour
Treatment:
Behavioral: FIFA2013
Call of Duty
Experimental group
Description:
Playing the video game 'Call of duty' for 1 hour
Treatment:
Behavioral: Call of Duty

Trial contacts and locations

1

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Central trial contact

Jonathan C Wells, PhD

Data sourced from clinicaltrials.gov

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