Effects of an Avatar-Based Anti-Smoking Game on Smoking Cessation Intent

Allen D Andrade; Thaer Idrees; Chandana Karanam; Ramankumar Anam; Jorge G Ruiz

Effects of an Avatar-Based Anti-Smoking Game on Smoking Cessation Intent

Stud Health Technol Inform. 2016:220:15-8.

Authors

Allen D Andrade¹, Thaer Idrees², Chandana Karanam², Ramankumar Anam², Jorge G Ruiz²

Affiliations

¹ Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Bronx/NY Harbor GRECC New York.
² Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.

PMID: 27046546

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a computer-based anti-smoking game on the intent and motivation to quit tobacco. Smokers with nicotine dependence were briefly exposed to an anti-smoking game with or without an avatar resembling the smoker's self. The computer-based anti-smoking game improved participants' immediate intent and motivation to quit smoking. Embedding an avatar resembling self into the game did not result in added benefits.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Female
Health Promotion
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Motivation*
Patient Participation
Recreation Therapy / methods
Recreation Therapy / psychology
Self Care / methods
Self Care / psychology
Smoking / psychology*
Smoking Cessation / methods
Smoking Cessation / psychology*
Smoking Prevention*
Software
Therapy, Computer-Assisted / methods*
Treatment Outcome
User-Computer Interface
Video Games / psychology*
Young Adult