JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Body motion-activated video games are a promising strategy for promoting addiction treatment engagement and adherence among youth.

Objective:

This pilot randomized trial (N=80) investigated the feasibility of a body-motion activated video game prototype, Recovery Warrior 2.0, targeting relapse prevention in the context of a community inpatient care program for youth.

Methods:

Participants ages 15-25 were recruited from an inpatient drug treatment program and randomized to treatment as usual (TAU) or to game play + TAU. Assessments were conducted at baseline, prior to discharge, and at 4-and 8-weeks post discharge.

Results:

The provision of the game play intervention was found to be feasible in the inpatient setting. On average, participants in the intervention group played for 36.6 minutes and played on 3.6 different days. Participants in the intervention group mostly agreed that they would use the refusal skills taught by the game. Those in the intervention group reported attending more outpatient counseling sessions than the control group (10.8 versus 4.8, respectively), but differences were not significant. The game had no effect on drug use at 4-weeks or 8-weeks post discharge, with the exception of a benefit reported at 4-week follow up to participants in treatment for marijuana addiction (p<.05).

Conclusions:

Preliminary evidence indicates that a motion activated video game for addiction recovery appears to be feasible and acceptable for youth within the context of inpatient treatment. With further development, such games hold promise as a tool for youth substance use disorder treatment.