Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Training in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment

March 6, 2026 updated by: Dilek Potur, Marmara University

The Effect of Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Training on Healthy Lifestyle and Self-Efficacy in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Treatment

Objective: A prospective randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest design was planned to evaluate the effects of a gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors training intervention using the D6 model, to be administered to women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (ART), on healthy lifestyle behaviors and infertility self-efficacy.

Aim: Reproductive health and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) have undergone rapid technological and clinical development in recent years, offering a variety of treatment options to couples struggling with infertility. Methods such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) are the most common practices aimed at increasing pregnancy rates. However, these treatments are complex processes affected by high stress levels, emotional burden, and lifestyle factors. Strengthening individuals' sense of self-efficacy strengthens their motivation to adapt to treatment and achieve health-related goals. In this intense and complex treatment process, it is essential to strengthen the self-efficacy perceptions of infertile couples, as this can enhance their motivation to achieve health-related goals by improving their adaptation to the treatment process. Although the literature reveals findings indicating that the development of healthy lifestyle behaviors positively influences the treatment outcomes of individuals undergoing infertility treatment, it is an undeniable fact that developing and sustaining such behaviors is often challenging-even for healthy individuals. For those experiencing infertility, which represents a complex life crisis both psychologically and physiologically, this process can become even more difficult. In this context, gamification is intended to be utilized as an innovative approach by integrating it into the process of promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors among infertile women.

Method: This study will be a prospective randomized controlled trial with a pretest-posttest model. The study population will consist of women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment who presented to the In Vitro Fertilization Unit in the Infertility and Reproductive Endocrinology Department at Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine Service Building, between October 2025 and October 2026. The sample will consist of 105 infertile women who met the study criteria based on a power analysis and agreed to participate in the study. After obtaining informed consent from infertile women who meet the study criteria and agree to participate, the women will be randomly assigned to three groups based on age, type of ART (IUI, IVF, ICSI), and number of treatments to ensure equality between the groups. These groups will be divided into three groups: a group receiving gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors education and a booklet during the ART process, a group receiving only the booklet, and a group receiving standard ART clinic training. All study groups will complete an Introductory Information Form, the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Follow-up Form for Infertile Women, the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale II (HLBS II), and the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form (SES). One group will receive the gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors education program and a booklet, while the second group will receive the healthy lifestyle behaviors education booklet. The third group will receive standard ART clinic training. Post-tests (Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors for Infertile Women Follow-up Form, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II, Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form) and "Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Training Program Evaluation Form" was given to the group receiving gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors training will be administered to all groups at the end of Month 1. Repeat tests (Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors for Infertile Women Follow-up Form, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II, Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form, and Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Education Program Evaluation Form) will be administered at Month 3.

As part of the study, the effects of gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors and self-efficacy on the healthy lifestyle behaviors and self-efficacy of infertile women who received gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors education and an educational booklet during the ART process will be compared with those of infertile women who received only the educational booklet, compared to those who received standard ART clinic training. This will scientifically demonstrate the contribution of the gamification approach to the behavioral change processes of infertile women.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

105

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

  • Turkey (Türkiye)
    • Uskudar
      • Istanbul, Uskudar, Turkey (Türkiye), 34668
        • Istanbul Provincial Health Directorate Zeynep Kamil Women and Children Diseases Traning and Research Hospital
        • Contact:

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

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Women aged 18-49 years
  • Diagnosed with primary infertility
  • Currently undergoing assisted reproductive treatment (IUI, IVF, or ICSI)
  • Able to read, understand, and communicate in Turkish
  • Have access to a digital device (mobile phone, tablet, or computer) and internet connection
  • Provide voluntary written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed psychiatric disorder that may interfere with participation
  • Presence of a severe medical condition (e.g., active cancer or other serious systemic disease) that may affect treatment outcomes
  • Medical complications requiring hospitalization during the study period
  • Communication barriers preventing completion of study procedures
  • Withdrawal of consent at any time during the study

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: Supportive Care
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Education + Digital Healthy Lifestyle Education Booklet

Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Education:

A structured gamified healthy lifestyle behaviors education program based on the D6 gamification model. The intervention includes digital interactive modules covering nutrition, physical activity, stress management, health responsibility, and social support, delivered via an online platform during the assisted reproductive treatment process.
Behavioral: Gamified Healthy Lifestyle Education+Digital Healthy Lifestyle Education Booklet
A structured, theory-based gamified healthy lifestyle education program developed in accordance with the D6 gamification model. The program is delivered via a digital platform and includes modules focusing on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and social support. Gamification elements such as points, badges integrated to enhance motivation and participant engagement. In addition to gamified healthy lifestyle behavior training, a digital training booklet is also provided. The intervention is implemented alongside routine clinical care.
Experimental: Digital Healthy Lifestyle Education Booklet
A digital healthy lifestyle education booklet developed based on current evidence, including information on nutrition, physical activity, stress management for women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment.
Behavioral: Digital Healthy Lifestyle Education Booklet
An evidence-based, digitally delivered healthy lifestyle education booklet. The booklet contains structured information on nutrition, physical activity, stress management, health responsibility, and social support for women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. Participants receive this booklet in addition to their routine clinical training.
No Intervention: Control
No Intervention Standard ART Clinic Education

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors
Time Frame: At baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks
Change in healthy lifestyle behaviors measured using the Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale II (HLBS-II). The scale assesses health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management. Higher scores indicate better healthy lifestyle behaviors.The scale has no cut-off value. Total scores range from 52 to 208, with higher scores indicating better outcomes.
At baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Infertility Self-Efficacy
Time Frame: At baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks
Change in infertility self-efficacy measured using the Infertility Self-Efficacy Scale Short Form. Total scores range from 8 to 32; higher scores indicate greater perceived ability to cope with infertility-related challenges and treatment processes.
At baseline and at 4 and 12 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Marmara University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Dilek COSKUNER POTUR, PhD, Marmara University
  • Study Chair: DUYGU DOKUMACI, MSc, PhD Candidate, Marmara University

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 (Estimated)

March 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 2, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 6, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

March 10, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 10, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 6, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • Doktora1001

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

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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