How can we design games that motivate and support health behavior change?

1. Can Playing Digital Games
Improve Our Health?
Debra Lieberman, Ph.D.
UC Santa Barbara and
Health Games Research
TEDxAmericanRiviera
October 10, 2010

2. Well designed games are:
Powerful experiences

3. Interactive

4. Immersive

5. Challenging and motivating

6. Mission-driven, goal-driven

7. Rewarding, fun

8. Boost knowledge and skills

9. Give feedback and
chances to try again

10. Social

11. Inter-generational

12. Therapeutic

13. Springboards for discussion and support

14. Icebreakers that foster
closer relationships

15. Networked, mobile, always available

16. Tools and sensors expand
game design options

17. Being a character or helping a character
influences self-concepts, attitudes about health

18. Rehearsal and success improve self confidence

19. Research helps us design more effective games
for health and learning
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20. Research gives us:
 Behavioral health strategies
 Learning strategies
 Evidence – did the game improve health behaviors
and outcomes? How?
 Principles of health game design

21. Can playing digital games improve our health?
Yes! Studies find improvements in:
 Healthy eating, physical activity, weight loss
 Cancer prevention, alcohol relapse prevention,
smoking prevention
 Self-management of chronic diseases
 Adherence: Following one’s treatment plan
 Cognitive skills
 Physical therapy, phobia therapy
 Clinical skills … and much more

22. Thank you!
Learn more at:
www.healthgamesresearch.org
Funded by the Pioneer Portfolio of the
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Debra Lieberman, Ph.D.
Director, Health Games Research
UC Santa Barbara