Journal article
Evaluating Child Toothbrushing Behavior Changes Associated with a Mobile Game App: A Single Arm Pre/Post Pilot Study
Pediatric dentistry, Vol.41(4), pp.299-303
07/15/2019
PMCID: PMC6709707
PMID: 31439090
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate changes in toothbrushing behaviors associated with a mobile game app. Methods: Thirty-four five- to six-year-olds were taught to use the Brush UpTM game app and played it once per day at home for seven days. The primary outcome was toothbrushing quality measured as duration and distribution. The paired t test was used to assess pre/post changes and Holm's method adjusted for multiple testing (α equals 0.05). Results: The mean age was 73.7±6.6 months; 29.4 percent were female, and 47.1 percent were Caucasian. After seven days, toothbrushing duration increased significantly (P<0.001). Toothbrushing distribution improved with increased brushing of the lingual, maxillary occlusal, and posterior buccal surfaces. For 15 children who played the game for 14 days, even greater improvements in quality and distribution were observed. Improvements in toothbrushing did not persist one year later without further app use but there were noted changes that could be clinically meaningful. Conclusions: Mobile health game apps can potentially improve toothbrushing quality in children. Additional trials are needed to assess mobile toothbrushing game apps.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Evaluating Child Toothbrushing Behavior Changes Associated with a Mobile Game App: A Single Arm Pre/Post Pilot Study
- Creators
- Dov Jacobson - Emory UniversityJesse Jacobson - Emory UniversityTraci Leong - Emory UniversityStella Lourenco - Emory UniversityLloyd Mancl - University of WashingtonDonald Chi
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Pediatric dentistry, Vol.41(4), pp.299-303
- PMID
- 31439090
- PMCID
- PMC6709707
- NLM abbreviation
- Pediatr Dent
- ISSN
- 0164-1263
- eISSN
- 1942-5473
- Publisher
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/15/2019
- Academic Unit
- Public Policy Center (Archive)
- Record Identifier
- 9984283710802771
Metrics
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