Metabolic Response to Playing Video Games

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Blood Pressure
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Watching TV; Behavioral: FIFA2013; Behavioral: Call of Duty

Detailed 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.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 72
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United Kingdom
  • London, United Kingdom, WC1N 1EH
    • Recruiting
    • UCL Institute of Child Health
    • Contact: Jonathan C Wells, PhD; Phone Number: +442079052389; Email: Jonathan.Wells@ucl.ac.uk
    • Principal Investigator: Jonathan C Wells, PhD

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 30 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

Description

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Watching TV; Watching TV (comedy, 'Friends') for 1 hour	Behavioral: Watching TV; Watching TV for 1 hour
Experimental: FIFA2013; Playing the video game 'FIFA2013' for 1 hour	Behavioral: FIFA2013; Playing FIFA2013 for 1 hour
Experimental: Call of Duty; Playing the video game 'Call of duty' for 1 hour	Behavioral: Call of Duty; Playing Call of Duty for 1 hour

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Blood pressure	Systolic and diastolic blood pressure	Over the 90 minutes of the study

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Heart rate	Heart rate by Polar monitor	Over the 90 minute duration of the study
Appetite	Appetite by visual analogue scale, and by a test meal at the end of the study	Over the 90 minute duration of the study
Stress	Salivary cortisol	Over the 90 minute duration of the study
Satiety	Salivary ghrelin and leptin	Over the 90 minute duration of the study

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University College, London
• Collaborators: Newcastle University
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Jonathan C Wells, PhD, UCL Institute of Child Health

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: February 1, 2013
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2013
• Study Completion (Anticipated): December 1, 2013

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 8, 2013
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 11, 2013
• First Posted (Estimate): March 12, 2013

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): April 9, 2013
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 8, 2013
• Last Verified: January 1, 2013

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Blood pressure; Appetite; Heart rate; Salivary cortisol
• Other Study ID Numbers: UCL-VG-001