This Michigan-based pilot study explored whether our tablet-based digital health game, the HPV Detective Game, would spark important conversations between families and their healthcare providers about cancer prevention and the human papillomavirus (HPV). Families who enrolled engaged in surveys and played a tablet-based educational game designed to empower families with teen health information.
Status: In reporting phase, no longer recruiting
Intervention: Youth along with one parent or guardian may play a 10-15 minute game in which they fight monsters and learn information about the HPV vaccine. Families played this game on a tablet while in an MSU Health Care Pediatrics clinic room prior to their clinic appointment.
Surveys: Participants will be asked to fill out a brief baseline survey, a survey after gameplay, and a 6-month follow-up survey. Researchers will remain in touch via text messages and email.
Parental and Child Consent & Compensation: All participants will be asked to fill out parental consent and child assent forms. Participants may withdraw from the study if they wish at any time. Participants will be compensated with online gift cards for completing project activities.
Optional Interview: Optionally, youth and parent or guardian may be asked to give a more in-depth interview regarding the digital game and recommended improvements.
Funding: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Protocol: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06162676
This US-based, online phase 1 clinical trial explores whether our online digital health game, The HPV Detective Game, can spark important conversations between families and their healthcare providers. Families who enroll will have the opportunity to engage in online surveys and play an online, educational game designed to empower families with information about cancer prevention and human papillomavirus (HPV).
Status: Recruiting!
Intervention: Youth along with one parent or guardian play a 10-15 minute game in which they fight monsters and learn information about the HPV vaccine. Families play this game online on a laptop, personal computer or personal tablet.
Surveys: Participants will be asked to fill out a brief baseline survey, a survey after gameplay, and a 2-month follow-up survey. Researchers will remain in touch via text messages and email.
Parental and Child Consent & Compensation: All participants will be asked to fill out parental consent and child assent forms. Participants may withdraw from the study if they wish at any time. Participants will be compensated with online gift cards for completing project activities.
Funding: Merck Investigator Studies Program (MISP)
Protocol: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05984849
MSU Health Care: MSU Professor develops video game to educate families about health topics
News 10 Lansing: MSU Professor develops video game to educate families about health topics
Liu, C., Ng, T.J., Mansuri, S. et al. Video-based interventions to promote HPV vaccination among individuals aged 9 to 26: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 26, 1308 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-26759-w
Ou, L., Reifsnider, E., Chen, A. C.-C., Todd, M., Amresh, A., & Mun, C. J. (2026). Serious games in youth’s health education: A concept analysis. Heliyon, 12(16). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2026.e45567
Chen, A. C. C., Ghonaim, N., Subedi, S., & Whaley, M. (2025, April). A Digital Game Intervention to Promote HPV Vaccination Among Youth. In WESTERN JOURNAL OF NURSING RESEARCH (Vol. 47, No. 1_ SUPPL, pp. 2S-2S). 2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320 USA: SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC.
Reifsnider, E., Subedi, S., Ghonaim, N., Whaley, M., & Chen, A. C.-C. (2026). Acceptability, usability, and Clinical Integration of a clinic-based digital game for HPV education: Qualitative perspectives from adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers. Vaccines, 14(2), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14020116
Chen, A. C.-C., Ou, L., Reifsnider, E., Arcoleo, K., Amresh, A., & Todd, M. (2026). Increasing HPV vaccination among early adolescents using a game-based digital intervention: A randomized controlled trial. Vaccines, 14(5), 448. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14050448
Professor, McLaren Greater Lansing Endowed Chair for Behavioral Mental Health Nursing