Comparing Game-Based Reward Systems to Support Children's Engagement:

May 5, 2026 updated by: Zdenek Svoboda, Palacky University

Effect of Gamification-Based Incentive Schemes on Behavioral Adherence in Children

This Randomized Control Trial evaluates the impact of different gamification-based incentive schemes (levels, streaks and their combination) on adherence to target behaviors in children. Participants are randomized into four groups with different types of motivational frameworks.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

160

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

  • Czechia
      • Olomouc, Czechia
        • Recruiting
        • Palacky University
        • 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

  • Child

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Children aged 9-12 years Regular smartphone use (at least 4 days per week) Has access to a smartphone throughout most of the day Brings a smartphone to school Owns a personal smartphone with a touchscreen Owns a smartphone with Android operating system (version 9 or higher) Has access to mobile internet on their device Is allowed to use a smartphone at school during breaks (e.g., lunch or longer breaks) for questionnaire completion and to wear a smartwatch Native Czech speaker

Exclusion Criteria:

Does not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria Has a sibling already enrolled in 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: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Level-based
Participants receive financial rewards based on a points system, where completed target behaviors are converted into points. Accumulated points determine progression through predefined levels, which represent increasing achievement. Higher levels correspond to higher reward value.
Behavioral: Level-based
Participants use a mobile application that incorporates gamification elements. Completing target behaviors within the app earns points, which contribute to progression through predefined levels. Advancement to higher levels results in higher financial rewards.
Experimental: Streak-Based
Participants receive financial rewards based on maintaining continuous engagement (streaks). Consecutive days of completing target behaviors unlock virtual equipment or items. Longer streaks result in more valuable rewards.
Behavioral: Streak-based
Participants use a mobile application with gamification elements. Daily completion of target behaviors maintains engagement streaks. Longer streaks unlock virtual items and higher-value financial rewards.
Experimental: Combined Streak and level
Participants receive financial rewards based on a combination of levels, and streak-based mechanics. Target behaviors generate points contributing to level progression, while sustained engagement additionally unlocks streaks. This arm integrates both accumulation and consistency-based incentives.
Behavioral: Combined: level and streak
Participants use a mobile application with gamification elements. Points earned from completing target behaviors contribute to level progression, while consecutive daily engagement unlocks streak-based rewards. Both mechanisms operate simultaneously to provide financial incentives for achievement and consistency.
Active Comparator: Control
Participants use the same mobile application with gamification features, but financial rewards are not linked to levels, or streaks. Rewards are provided only for completing questionnaires. The total potential reward value is equivalent across all arms.
Behavioral: Control
Participants use a mobile application that includes gamification elements (e.g., points, levels, or streak indicators) as part of the user interface. However, these in-app gamification features are not financially incentivized. Monetary rewards are determined by questionnaire compliance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Questionnaire adherence
Time Frame: 14 days

Participants are rewarded for completing study questionnaires using a combination of points, streaks, and level-based bonuses to encourage adherence and long-term engagement.

  1. Base Reward (Questionnaire Completion) Participants receive points for completing questionnaires. Example: 60% completion

  2. Streak System Participants earn additional rewards for consecutive questionnaire completion (daily or scheduled).

    Streaks are designed to reinforce consistent participation and habit formation. Streak: 22 CZK

  3. Level System Participants progress through levels based on accumulated activity (e.g., completed questionnaires).

Each level unlock provides a financial reward:

1 level = 450 CZK

4. Combined Model (Levels + Streaks)

A hybrid incentive structure can be applied:

Streak reward: 10 CZK per streak milestone Level reward: 250 CZK per level achieved
14 days

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Palacky University

Collaborators

Masaryk University
University of Hradec Hralove

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 (Actual)

March 28, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2027

Study Completion (Estimated)

December 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

April 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

May 8, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 5, 2026

Last Verified

March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • CZ.02.01.01/00/23_025/0008686

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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