Dataset Information

Manipulating Self-Avatar Body Dimensions in Virtual Worlds to Complement an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight Women.

ABSTRACT: Virtual reality has been found to be a useful tool for positively influencing relevant psychological variables in order to increase physical activity (PA), especially in the overweight population. This study investigates the use of avatars and their physical variations to extend the effectiveness of existing interventions to promote PA. The main objective is to analyze the influence of the avatars' body dimensions on the efficacy of an Internet intervention to increase PA levels and improve other relevant variables (motivation toward PA, enjoyment, anxiety, self-efficacy, and PA goals). A total of 42 overweight women received a brief online intervention, and they were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: the "Ideal avatar" (IAC: participants are represented by avatars with ideal body dimensions); the "Real avatar" (RAC: participants are represented by avatars with participants' current body dimensions); and the "Non avatar" (NAC: participants are not represented by avatars). Results showed that the online intervention was effective in increasing PA practice and self-efficacy expectations. However, manipulating the body dimensions of avatars did not improve this intervention, although ideal avatars helped to reduce the anxiety experienced during PA in this population.

SUBMITTER: Navarro J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7312466 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Manipulating Self-Avatar Body Dimensions in Virtual Worlds to Complement an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight Women.

Navarro Jessica J Cebolla Ausiàs A Llorens Roberto R Borrego Adrián A Baños Rosa M RM

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200605 11

Virtual reality has been found to be a useful tool for positively influencing relevant psychological variables in order to increase physical activity (PA), especially in the overweight population. This study investigates the use of avatars and their physical variations to extend the effectiveness of existing interventions to promote PA. The main objective is to analyze the influence of the avatars' body dimensions on the efficacy of an Internet intervention to increase PA levels and improve othe ...[more]

PMID: 32517117

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Project description:Addressing the obesity epidemic requires the development of effective, scalable interventions. Pedometers and Web-based programs are beneficial in increasing activity levels but might be enhanced by the addition of nonhuman coaching.We hypothesized that a virtual coach would increase activity levels, via step count, in overweight or obese individuals beyond the effect observed using a pedometer and website alone.We recruited 70 participants with a body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m(2) from the Boston metropolitan area. Participants were assigned to one of two study arms and asked to wear a pedometer and access a website to view step counts. Intervention participants also met with a virtual coach, an automated, animated computer agent that ran on their home computers, set goals, and provided personalized feedback. Data were collected and analyzed in 2008. The primary outcome measure was change in activity level (percentage change in step count) over the 12-week study, split into four 3-week time periods. Major secondary outcomes were change in BMI and participants' satisfaction.The mean age of participants was 42 years; the majority of participants were female (59/70, 84%), white (53/70, 76%), and college educated (68/70, 97%). Of the initial 70 participants, 62 completed the study. Step counts were maintained in intervention participants but declined in controls. The percentage change in step count between those in the intervention and control arms, from the start to the end, did not reach the threshold for significance (2.9% vs -12.8% respectively, P = .07). However, repeated measures analysis showed a significant difference when comparing percentage changes in step counts between control and intervention participants over all time points (analysis of variance, P = .02). There were no significant changes in secondary outcome measures.The virtual coach was beneficial in maintaining activity level. The long-term benefits and additional applications of this technology warrant further study.ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00792207; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00792207 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/63sm9mXUD).

Project description:Adolescents who are overweight or obese are reported to be less active than their peers. Motivation is a critical factor in sustaining physical activity and thereby positive health outcomes. This qualitative study explores how participation in a 12-week Internet-based intervention study, Young & Active, influenced the participants' short-term and long-term motivation to increase and sustain physical activity. The overall purpose of Young & Active was to design, test, and evaluate a health-promoting Internet-based program for use in the school health services in Norway. The program was informed by self-determination theory and motivational interviewing. Two postintervention qualitative research interviews were conducted with 21 adolescents, aged 13 to 14 years, with a 9- to 12-month interval. The adolescents were recruited from a total of 84 participants from the Young & Active study intervention group. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Self-determination theory was used as a theoretical and explanatory framework. Following the motivational continuum from self-determination theory, all adolescents showed changes in motivation, from extrinsic toward more intrinsic motivation, and for some, a reversal after completing the program. Analysis of the adolescents' utterances formed patterns that could be divided into four main categories: (a) reinforcement of a habit, (b) promotion of competence and enjoyment, (c) boost of temporary change, and (d) reinforcement of adverse habits. An Internet-based intervention may help adolescents increase and sustain physical activity if participation is based on self-choice and if they have sufficient support in their social environments. The intervention alone is not enough to support adolescents who are less motivated or have other challenges in life and may even provoke resistance and reinforce negative health behavior. Such a program may be used together with face-to-face counseling in school health services, provided that it is further refined on a larger scale and that the counseling is performed by qualified health service professionals.

Dataset Information

Manipulating Self-Avatar Body Dimensions in Virtual Worlds to Complement an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight Women.

Publications

Manipulating Self-Avatar Body Dimensions in Virtual Worlds to Complement an Internet-Delivered Intervention to Increase Physical Activity in Overweight Women.

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