Clinical Trial

An Online Game to Help Canadian Adults Identify COVID-19 Vaccine Misinformation With One-Month Follow-Up

Completed
View on ClinicalTrials.gov →
Summary
COVID-19 vaccine misinformation contributed to vaccine hesitancy and preventable illness. This study tested whether a brief online game helps Canadian adults identify COVID-19 vaccine misinformation, and whether effects last one month. In the game, participants judged whether statements about COVID-19 vaccines were true or false and immediately received the correct answer with a brief evidence-based explanation, delivered in a game-like format with points, ranks, and feedback. Adults from a national non-probability online panel (n = 4,071) were randomized to the game, to the identical corrective content presented as a static blog post, or to a no-activity control. The game and blog groups were assessed immediately after the activity; all three groups were reassessed approximately one month later. The hypothesis was that gamified corrective information would produce more accurate knowledge than the same information presented as a static blog post and, at one month, than no activity. The primary outcome was accuracy in identifying true and false claims; vaccination intention, vaccine confidence, and self-reported vaccination were secondary outcomes. This is the fourth study in a research program whose first three trials are registered in a companion record.
Trial Details
NCT Number NCT07758296
Lead Sponsor University of South Carolina
Collaborators: Digital Public Square, Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
Conditions COVID-19, Vaccination Hesitancy, Health Misinformation, Communication
Enrollment 4,071 participants
Start Date 2022-12-08
Primary Completion 2023-02-13 (estimated)
Study Completion 2023-02-13 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov 2026-08-11