Metabolic Response to Playing Video Games: Two Arm Trial

February 27, 2014 updated by: University College, London

Previous studies have shown that subjects who play video games are prone to consume larger quantities of food than subjects who are simply resting. This is believed to be due to the development of a stress response in the video games group, resulting in increased fuel metabolism. However, it was shown that the energy intake of the two groups showed no correlation with the subjects' appetite/hunger, which was identical in both groups.

The investigators propose to explore this issue further by comparing the effects of different types of video games on metabolism, using a randomized controlled trial. In this study, they will compare the stress levels, heart rate, blood pressure, appetite/mood, energy consumption, grip strength, memory and saliva cortisol, leptin and ghrelin levels of subjects playing (a) competitive and (b) problem-solving video games. Measurements will be taken preceding, during and after the 1 hour intervention. Following the intervention, participants will be offered savoury and sweet foods/drinks, which will allow us to assess their appetite preferences and caloric intake.

The investigators first aim is to determine whether there is a significant difference in stress levels, eating habits and energy metabolism in the two groups. Our second aim is to determine whether there is a difference in glucose distribution to the muscles and brain between the two groups.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The investigators study is designed to test experimentally whether different kinds of video game generate different types of metabolic response. The exposure comprises one-hour of video game playing, with 36 young men randomized to each group (ie 72 in total).

Prior to the exposure, they will collect baseline data on heart rate, blood pressure, anthropometry (weight, height, waist girth), grip strength and cognitive function (memory test), as well as appetite/mood by visual analogue scale (VAS). The investigators will also collect a baseline saliva sample to assess hormones associated with stress (cortisol) or satiety (leptin, ghrelin). The subject will arrive after and overnight fast and will be given a standardised breakfast. After these baseline data are collected, the randomization envelope will be opened and the subject assigned to his group.

Heart rate will be monitored continuously during the study. At 20 and 40 minutes during the intervention, as well as when it ceases at 60 minutes, the investigators will collect further data on blood pressure and appetite/mood by VAS. At 60 minutes, the investigators will repeat measurement of memory and grip strength, and collect a second saliva sample.

For 20 minutes after the end of the intervention, the subject will be allowed to rest, reading magazines, and will be able to select from a range of snack foods (savoury, sweet, fruit), and drinks (sweetened beverages, water). Consumption of calories will be calculated. At the end of this period, final measurements of blood pressure and VAS will be collected, and the subject will depart.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

72

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • United Kingdom
      • London, United Kingdom, WC1N 1EH
        • Recruiting
        • UCL Institute of Child Health
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Jonathan CK Wells, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 30 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Healthy adult males with BMI <25 kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

  • smoking
  • a significant weight change (>3kg) within the previous three months
  • any psychiatric disorder
  • uncontrolled hypertension
  • coronary heart disease
  • heart failure
  • central/peripheral arteriopathies
  • excessive alcohol consumption (<21 units/week).

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Active Comparator: Problem-solving video game
Playing the video game 'Little Big Planet'
Behavioral: Little Big Planet
1 hour playing video game
Other Names:
  • Little Big Planet (Sony Computer Entertainment
Experimental: Competitive video game
Playing the video game 'Call of Duty'
Behavioral: Competitive video game
1 hour playing video game
Other Names:
  • 'Call of Duty' (Activision)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Food intake
Time Frame: At end of 1-hour video game intervention
Subjects will be offered a selection of snacks and drinks over a 20 minute period, and their rates of food intake will be calculated
At end of 1-hour video game intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Blood pressure
Time Frame: At 20, 40 and 60 minutes of intervention, and after 20 minutes rest post-intervention
Blood pressure will be measured in duplicate at 1 minute intervals by digital instrument
At 20, 40 and 60 minutes of intervention, and after 20 minutes rest post-intervention
Heart rate
Time Frame: Continuously, starting during baseline period, from 0 to 60 minutes during intervention, and for 20 minutes post-intervention rest period
Heart rate will be measured using a polar digital heart rate monitor
Continuously, starting during baseline period, from 0 to 60 minutes during intervention, and for 20 minutes post-intervention rest period
Salivary leptin
Time Frame: After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Salivary leptin will be analysed using ELISA
After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Salivary ghrelin
Time Frame: After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Salivary ghrelin will be assessed using ELISA
After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Salivary cortisol
Time Frame: After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Salivary cortisol will be assessed using ELISA
After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Visual analogue scale
Time Frame: At 20, 40 and 60 minutes of intervention, and after 20 minutes rest post-intervention
Visual analogue scale will be used to collect subjective data on mood and appetite
At 20, 40 and 60 minutes of intervention, and after 20 minutes rest post-intervention
Grip strength
Time Frame: After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Grip strength will be assessed by hand-grip dynamometer, using the average of three measurements for each arm
After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Memory recall
Time Frame: After 60 minutes from start of intervention
Subjects will be shown images for a set time to allow memorization, and then be given another set time to recall as many of these images as possible
After 60 minutes from start of intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

University College, London

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Jonathan CK Wells, PhD, UCL Institute of Child Health

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

February 1, 2014

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

October 1, 2014

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 24, 2014

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 27, 2014

First Posted (Estimate)

March 3, 2014

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 3, 2014

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 27, 2014

Last Verified

February 1, 2014

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • UCL0326011

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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