How about if you added video game elements to make participating in a clinical trial feel as engaging? Many domains have already leveraged gamification, including the world of clinical trials. This novel approach is redefining how we conduct medical research so it is less taxing on you the patient and we hope it’s more engaging!

What is Gamification in Clinical Trials?

Gamification refers to the use of game-design elements and principles in non-game contexts. In clinical trials, it translates to using fun, immersive techniques to build engagement and improve data collection. Consider it turning elements of the trial into a game! Do you record and check the steps you have done in a day? That is a form of gamification, i.e. trying to do more than X thousand steps a day.

What Are the Benefits of Gamification in Clinical Trials?

Gamification game makers have significantly grown the engagement of the patients in clinical studies. Here’s how:

• Enhanced compliance: With a gamified component, we have seen patients are more likely to adhere to the trial protocol.
• Improved data quality: More participants who are providing data at regular and scheduled intervals and are motivated result in more frequent and accurate data being collected.
• Enhanced retention: Meaningful experiences or the desire to reach the level of the journey or simply knowing were you (as the patient) are in the journey has been shown to lower dropout rates and lead to more complete trial findings.
• Greater understanding: Interactive elements have provided more effective explanations of complex medical concepts or procedures – this has been key in decentralised trials (see the blog on that J).

Gamification Techniques in Practice

Here is a look at some of the most common gamification elements used in clinical trials:

• Points systems: Participants earn points for tasks such as taking medication on time or logging symptoms.
• Leaderboards: Especially with anonymous rankings, participants can feel a sense of friendly competition.
• Common forms of rewards: Digital badges or certificates that acknowledge milestones and achievements.
• Tracking progress: Graphics, such as progress bars, show how far (or not) participants have come in the trial.

For instance, a clinical trial exploring a new diabetes medication could implement a mobile app where participants enter their blood sugar readings. The app could reward earned points for logging, share a leaderboard for top contributors (anonymously, of course), and provide virtual badges for hitting important milestones.

Difficulties and Ethical Issues

Gamification is rife with potential but also rife with challenges:

• Fairness: Gamification elements must be constructed to ensure that they do not penalise any participants.
• Preserving the scientific integrity: The ‘gamification’ shouldn’t undermine the seriousness of medical research.
• Data privacy: As with any digital tool, safeguarding participants’ personal information is paramount.
• Minimising coercion: Rewards should not be so enticing that they unduly sway decisions to participate.

Researchers need to balance both factors carefully to develop engaging, ethical gamified trials.

Things to Come: Gamified Clinical Trials

With each advancement in technology comes the potential for exciting new applications of gamification in clinical research. There have been exciting innovations in this way with VR experiences, AI-powered personalised challenges, and smartphone and wearables integration.

If you’re thinking about enrolling in a clinical trial, look for studies that are employing gamification techniques. It may be a sign that you are part of being involved in groundbreaking medical research!

Clinical trials, gamified or not, are an essential part of advancing new therapies and enhancing health care. If you can, look to engage as every participant makes an impact for future patients.