Positive Feedback vs. No-Feedback Games for Behavioral Change

NCT06025838 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: FeedbackGames
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 171
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

We aim to investigate here whether we can develop a reinforcement learning game which provides game-based feedback to encourage positive actions (behaviors) both inside and outside of the game. Does providing positive reward when participants make decisions which are associated with value-based actions (like those in BA) result in different game decisions? We propose that it will increase positive actions in the game. And, secondly, how does it affect short-term behavior (in one week)? We propose that it will increase pro-health activities and may reduce depressive symptoms.

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder; Low Mood

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

• Depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 item)

  8 items rated in a self-report questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 24 with higher scores indicating more depression symptoms.

  baseline (T0) - before intervention

• Depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 item)

  8 items rated in a self-report questionnaire. Scores range from 0 to 24 with higher scores indicating more depression symptoms.

  one week following intervention (T1)

• Day Reconstruction Method (DRM)

  The DRM measures how people spend their time and asks them how they felt while doing the activities they report. Ratings on a Likert scale indicate valence (how pleasant/unpleasant the activities were) and range from 0 (not at all) to 6 (very much), with higher pleasantness being better (and lower unpleasantness being better).

  baseline (T0) - before intervention

• Day Reconstruction Method (DRM)

  The DRM measures how people spend their time and asks them how they felt while doing the activities they report. Ratings on a Likert scale indicate valence (how pleasant/unpleasant the activities were) and range from 0 (not at all) to 6 (very much), with higher pleasantness being better (and lower unpleasantness being better).

  one week following intervention (T1)

• Behavior in study-specific game

  For both conditions, behavior and choices made during the game will be used as data for analyses. Game choices allow participants to decide what next activities they will "do" in the game. Analyses incorporate decision probabilities (which of 2 choices are selected) and compare them between conditions. The game is completed at baseline following assessment.

  baseline (T0)

• Motivation to change

  A 7-point item, "It is important to me to do more positive activities in my life". Scores range from 0 \[not at all\] to 6 \[very much\]. Higher scores indicate more motivation to change.

  baseline (T0) - after intervention

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire (MASQ)

  baseline (T0) - before intervention

• Mood Ratings

  baseline (T0) - before intervention

• Mood Ratings

  one week following intervention (T1)

Study Arms (2)

positive feedback

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants receive positive feedback and reward for their decisions taken during a small game similar to a normal person's life. For example, they are encouraged to exercise, make food, and interact with friends.

Behavioral: positive feedback

no feedback

NO INTERVENTION

Participants receive no feedback. While they may undertake the same decisions during a small game similar to a normal person's life, they receive no encouragement and are not given reward or positive feedback.

Interventions

positive feedback BEHAVIORAL

The positive feedback game uses techniques relating to established therapies like Behavioral Activation and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy's valued living to encourage positive action in game and outside of the game.

positive feedback

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 34 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• years old
• Fluent in English
• Based in the United States

You may not qualify if:

• None

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bard College: lead

Study Sites (1)

Online research conducted through Bard College

Annandale-on-Hudson, New York, 12504, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Depressive Disorder, Major; Consciousness Disorders

Interventions

Feedback, Physiological

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Depressive Disorder; Mood Disorders; Mental Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms; Neurocognitive Disorders

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Homeostasis; Physiological Phenomena

Study Officials

• Justin Dainer-Best, Ph.D.

  Bard College

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: QUADRUPLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: The intervention occurs entirely online. All assessment occurs via survey software. Participants do not interact with other participants and are not fully informed of the nature of the intervention and thus do not know if they are in an active condition.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor of Psychology

Model Details: Participants are either assigned to a control (no intervention) condition or to one where they receive positive feedback and are encouraged to specific, positive behavior.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 30, 2023
• First Posted: September 6, 2023
• Study Start: February 13, 2024
• Primary Completion: March 2, 2024
• Study Completion: March 2, 2024
• Last Updated: August 14, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ANALYTIC CODE
• Time Frame: Data will be available on or before a manuscript is submitted for publication and will be shared indefinitely.
• Access Criteria: Open access. Anyone will be able to access de-identified data and code.

Locations

US (1)