Improving Breast Health Knowledge Among Women Using a Gamified Metaverse-Based Platform

Improving Breast Health Knowledge Among Women Using a Gamified Metaverse-Based Platform: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Mammoverse, a gamified metaverse-based educational platform, in improving breast health knowledge among women in China. Participants were randomly assigned to either a gamified or non-gamified version of the platform. Both groups received identical educational content, but only the gamified group experienced interactive game elements such as avatars, progress feedback, and rewards. Knowledge was assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 4-week follow-up. The study found that the gamified platform significantly improved knowledge retention and participant engagement compared to the non-gamified version.

This ClinicalTrials.gov registration reflects only the randomized controlled trial (RCT) portion of a broader mixed-methods study that was approved by the University of Malaya Research Ethics Committee (Ref: UM.TNC2/UMREC_3967). The full study protocol includes three methodological approaches, and this registration pertains specifically to the RCT component involving the Mammoverse platform. Other study components are not included in this registration.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Breast Neoplasms; Health Education
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Gamified Mammoverse Platform; Behavioral: Standard Mammoverse Platform

Detailed Description

Mammoverse is a 3D metaverse environment designed to promote breast health knowledge through immersive and interactive learning. The gamified version included user avatars, badges, tasks, and personalized feedback to increase motivation and engagement. The study recruited 72 women aged 18 and above, and used a pre-post-follow-up design. Outcome measures were based on an adapted 18-item Breast Health Literacy Questionnaire. The trial was conducted entirely online, with ethics approval from the University of Malaya Research Ethics Committee.

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

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• China
  • Zhejiang
    • Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 31000
      • Online Recruitment - Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
• Malaysia
  • Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
    • University of Malaya

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Female participants aged 18 years and above
• Able to read and understand Chinese
• Access to a digital device and stable internet connection
• Willing to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Cognitive impairment or mental health condition that affects participation
• Inability to complete the full intervention and follow-up sessions
• Incomplete baseline assessment

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

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

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Gamified Metaverse Education; Participants in this group used the Mammoverse platform with gamified features, including story-based missions, interactive tasks, point-based rewards, achievement badges, and virtual incentives. The educational content was delivered through immersive scenarios to enhance engagement and motivation in learning about breast health.	Behavioral: Gamified Mammoverse Platform; A gamified, metaverse-based platform delivering breast health education through story-based tasks, interactive challenges, points, rewards, badges, and virtual incentives.
Active Comparator: Non-Gamified Metaverse Education; Participants in this group accessed the Mammoverse platform without any gamified features. The virtual environment delivered identical breast health educational content, but without tasks, points, rewards, badges, or narrative elements.	Behavioral: Standard Mammoverse Platform; A non-gamified version of the Mammoverse platform that provides the same breast health educational content.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Breast Health Knowledge Score from Baseline to 4 Weeks Post-Intervention	Assessed using an 18-item adapted Breast Health Literacy Questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating greater knowledge. Main comparison is between baseline and 4-week follow-up.	Baseline and 4 weeks post-intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change in Breast Health Knowledge Score from Baseline to Immediately Post-Intervention	Same questionnaire used to assess immediate knowledge gain after the intervention.	Baseline and immediately post-intervention

Other Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Knowledge Retention from Immediately Post-Intervention to 4 Weeks Post	Change in knowledge scores to evaluate retention over 4 weeks.	Immediately post-intervention and 4 weeks post-intervention

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Malaya
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Rui Li, PhD(c), University of Malaya

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): December 1, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): February 1, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): March 24, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 8, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 8, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): April 16, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 18, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 15, 2025
• Last Verified: April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Health Education; Gamification; Metaverse; Breast Cancer Awareness; Digital Health Literacy; Women's Health
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Skin Diseases; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: Mammo2025-RCT01; UMREC_3967 (Other Identifier: University of Malaya Research Ethics Committee)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No