Points and leaderboards get students moving: gamification boosts daily steps
NCT ID NCT06818071
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether adding game-like elements—such as points, leaderboards, and team challenges—could encourage 255 university students in Taiwan to walk more each day. Participants were split into groups that used these features separately, combined, or through a mobile game (Pikmin Bloom). The goal was to see if these fun incentives could help close the gap between knowing exercise is good and actually doing it.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
gamified elements (points, leaderboards, social aspects, personalized avatar)
What this could lead to
If successful, this approach could offer a low-cost, fun way to help young adults become more physically active and reduce long-term health risks.
What could go wrong
This is a small, completed study in a specific group (Taiwan university students). Results may not apply to other ages or populations, and the effect may fade once the gamification ends.
Disclaimer
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Taipei Medical University
Taipei, Taiwan, 110, Taiwan