ChildrenNCT07509489
Comparing Game-Based Reward Systems to Support Children's Engagement:
A study testing Streak-based, Level-based and Combined: level and streak in people with Children, run by Palacky University at 1 site in Czechia.
Trial summary
This Randomized Control Trial evaluates the impact of different gamification-based incentive schemes (levels, streaks and their combination) on adherence to target behaviors in children. Participants are randomized into four groups with different types of motivational frameworks. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 9 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Children
- What is being tested?
- Streak-based, Level-based and Combined: level and streak
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 160 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCzechia
- Study dates
- 28 Mar 2026to 1 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 9 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Children aged 9-12 years Regular smartphone use (at least 4 days per week) Has access to a smartphone throughout most of the day Brings a smartphone to school Owns a personal smartphone with a touchscreen Owns a smartphone with Android operating system (version 9 or higher) Has access to mobile internet on their device Is allowed to use a smartphone at school during breaks (e.g., lunch or longer breaks) for questionnaire completion and to wear a smartwatch Native Czech speaker
Who cannot join
- Does not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria Has a sibling already enrolled in the study
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Czechia1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Palacky University
Olomouc
Dygryn, +420777837749, jan.dygryn@upol.cz
About this study
Official title: Effect of Gamification-Based Incentive Schemes on Behavioral Adherence in Children
This Randomized Control Trial evaluates the impact of different gamification-based incentive schemes (levels, streaks and their combination) on adherence to target behaviors in children. Participants are randomized into four groups with different types of motivational frameworks.
- Conditions
- Children
- Being tested
- Streak-based, Level-based, Combined: level and streak, Control
- Keywords
- incentive, financial, behaviour
- Medical subject headings
- Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Streak-basedBehavioural
Participants use a mobile application with gamification elements. Daily completion of target behaviors maintains engagement streaks. Longer streaks unlock virtual items and higher-value financial rewards.
Level-basedBehavioural
Participants use a mobile application that incorporates gamification elements. Completing target behaviors within the app earns points, which contribute to progression through predefined levels. Advancement to higher levels results in higher financial rewards.
Combined: level and streakBehavioural
Participants use a mobile application with gamification elements. Points earned from completing target behaviors contribute to level progression, while consecutive daily engagement unlocks streak-based rewards. Both mechanisms operate simultaneously to provide financial incentives for achievement and consistency.
ControlBehavioural
Participants use a mobile application that includes gamification elements (e.g., points, levels, or streak indicators) as part of the user interface. However, these in-app gamification features are not financially incentivized. Monetary rewards are determined by questionnaire compliance.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Level-based | Experimental | Participants receive financial rewards based on a points system, where completed target behaviors are converted into points. Accumulated points determine progression through predefined levels, which represent increasing achievement. Higher levels correspond to higher reward value. Receives: Behavioral: Level-based |
| Streak-Based | Experimental | Participants receive financial rewards based on maintaining continuous engagement (streaks). Consecutive days of completing target behaviors unlock virtual equipment or items. Longer streaks result in more valuable rewards. Receives: Behavioral: Streak-based |
| Combined Streak and level | Experimental | Participants receive financial rewards based on a combination of levels, and streak-based mechanics. Target behaviors generate points contributing to level progression, while sustained engagement additionally unlocks streaks. This arm integrates both accumulation and consistency-based incentives. Receives: Behavioral: Combined: level and streak |
| Control | Active comparator | Participants use the same mobile application with gamification features, but financial rewards are not linked to levels, or streaks. Rewards are provided only for completing questionnaires. The total potential reward value is equivalent across all arms. Receives: Behavioral: Control |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Questionnaire adherence
Participants are rewarded for completing study questionnaires using a combination of points, streaks, and level-based bonuses to encourage adherence and long-term engagement.
- Base Reward (Questionnaire Completion) Participants receive points for completing questionnaires. Example: 60% completion
- Streak System Participants earn additional rewards for consecutive questionnaire completion (daily or scheduled). Streaks are designed to reinforce consistent participation and habit formation. Streak: 22 CZK
- Level System Participants progress through levels based on accumulated activity (e.g., completed questionnaires).
Each level unlock provides a financial reward:
1 level = 450 CZK
- Combined Model (Levels + Streaks)
A hybrid incentive structure can be applied:
Streak reward: 10 CZK per streak milestone Level reward: 250 CZK per level achieved
Measured: 14 days
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted3 Apr 2026
- Study start28 Mar 2026
- Primary completion1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ChildrenStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Participant
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Palacky University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Hradec Hralove, Masaryk University
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Zdenek Svoboda, Palacky University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07509489
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- CZ.02.01.01/00/23_025/0008686
- Status last verified
- Mar 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Mar 2026
- Last updated
- 8 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 8 May 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effect of Gamification-Based Incentive Schemes on Behavioral Adherence in Children
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07509489
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- CZ.02.01.01/00/23_025/0008686
- Conditions
- Children
- Keywords
- incentive, financial, behaviour
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 160 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Palacky UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- University of Hradec Hralove, Masaryk University
- Study start
- 28 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jul 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 3 Apr 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This Randomized Control Trial evaluates the impact of different gamification-based incentive schemes (levels, streaks and their combination) on adherence to target behaviors in children. Participants are randomized into four groups with different types of motivational frameworks.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (participant)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Level-based | Experimental | Behavioral: Level-basedParticipants receive financial rewards based on a points system, where completed target behaviors are converted into points. Accumulated points determine progression through predefined levels, which represent increasing achievement. Higher levels correspond to higher reward value. |
| Streak-Based | Experimental | Behavioral: Streak-basedParticipants receive financial rewards based on maintaining continuous engagement (streaks). Consecutive days of completing target behaviors unlock virtual equipment or items. Longer streaks result in more valuable rewards. |
| Combined Streak and level | Experimental | Behavioral: Combined: level and streakParticipants receive financial rewards based on a combination of levels, and streak-based mechanics. Target behaviors generate points contributing to level progression, while sustained engagement additionally unlocks streaks. This arm integrates both accumulation and consistency-based incentives. |
| Control | Active comparator | Behavioral: ControlParticipants use the same mobile application with gamification features, but financial rewards are not linked to levels, or streaks. Rewards are provided only for completing questionnaires. The total potential reward value is equivalent across all arms. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 9 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Children aged 9-12 years Regular smartphone use (at least 4 days per week) Has access to a smartphone throughout most of the day Brings a smartphone to school Owns a personal smartphone with a touchscreen Owns a smartphone with Android operating system (version 9 or higher) Has access to mobile internet on their device Is allowed to use a smartphone at school during breaks (e.g., lunch or longer breaks) for questionnaire completion and to wear a smartwatch Native Czech speaker
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Does not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria Has a sibling already enrolled in the study
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Streak-basedParticipants use a mobile application with gamification elements. Daily completion of target behaviors maintains engagement streaks. Longer streaks unlock virtual items and higher-value financial rewards. | Behavioural | Streak-Based |
| Level-basedParticipants use a mobile application that incorporates gamification elements. Completing target behaviors within the app earns points, which contribute to progression through predefined levels. Advancement to higher levels results in higher financial rewards. | Behavioural | Level-based |
| Combined: level and streakParticipants use a mobile application with gamification elements. Points earned from completing target behaviors contribute to level progression, while consecutive daily engagement unlocks streak-based rewards. Both mechanisms operate simultaneously to provide financial incentives for achievement and consistency. | Behavioural | Combined Streak and level |
| ControlParticipants use a mobile application that includes gamification elements (e.g., points, levels, or streak indicators) as part of the user interface. However, these in-app gamification features are not financially incentivized. Monetary rewards are determined by questionnaire compliance. | Behavioural | Control |
Primary outcome
Questionnaire adherence
Time frame: 14 days
Participants are rewarded for completing study questionnaires using a combination of points, streaks, and level-based bonuses to encourage adherence and long-term engagement. 1. Base Reward (Questionnaire Completion) Participants receive points for completing questionnaires. Example: 60% completion 2. Streak System Participants earn additional rewards for consecutive questionnaire completion (daily or scheduled). Streaks are designed to reinforce consistent participation and habit formation. Streak: 22 CZK 3. Level System Participants progress through levels based on accumulated activity (e.g., completed questionnaires). Each level unlock provides a financial reward: 1 level = 450 CZK 4. Combined Model (Levels + Streaks) A hybrid incentive structure can be applied: Streak reward: 10 CZK per streak milestone Level reward: 250 CZK per level achieved
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 8 May 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Streak-based, Level-based and Combined: level and streak in people with Children, run by Palacky University at 1 site in Czechia.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 8 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Czechia. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Jan Dygrýn, Ph.D (+420585636741, jan.dygryn@upol.cz), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Questionnaire adherence (time frame: 14 days). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 8 May 2026.