Digital Health: The impact of gamification on different health behaviors

Abstract

In a world where technology is increasing more and more, and in which our consumption and our habits push us to procrastination and to let go of our health, digital development certainly has a role to play. Gamification, the integration of game design elements into non-gaming environments, has emerged as a promising method for motivating individuals and promoting behavioral change in mobile health. By using game mechanics such as challenges, rewards, competition and social interaction, gamified mobile health apps show great potential in promoting positive health outcomes and engaging users in their own well-being. Researches show that gamification in mHealth have a real impact on various health-behaviors. First, when it comes to physical activity, fun apps have showed to be effective in increasing activity levels and encouraging individuals to lead an active lifestyle by integrating features such as step challenges, virtual rewards, and progress tracking. These apps can motivate users to engage in regular physical activity and achieve their fitness goals. Additionally, gamification has demonstrated its potential in reducing stress and relieving symptoms of depression. Through an immersive and interactive gaming experience, the mHealth app helps individuals manage stress by providing relaxation techniques, mindfulness exercises and stress reduction programs. Furthermore, these apps convey a sense of accomplishment and progress, which positively impacts the mental health of users. However, for some health behaviors, the lack of research on diverse population should nuance these great impact of the gamification. Indeed, researches have still to be done to have a better overview of the impact of gamification depending the population.