Innerselfie: can we use Immersive Virtual Reality to change cancer risk perceptions and promote physical activity in young people?

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Innerselfie: can we use Immersive Virtual Reality to change cancer risk perceptions and promote physical activity in young people? Abi Fisher1*, Susanne Meisel2, Thomas Webb3, Bernadette Fisher4, Chloe Cooke5 and Katie Newby6 1 UCL, Epidemiology and Public Health, United Kingdom 2 Kings College London, United Kingdom 3 University of Sheffield, United Kingdom 4 University of Birmingham, United Kingdom 5 Freelance Digital Ethnographer, United Kingdom 6 Coventry University, United Kingdom Background: There is strong evidence that being physically active reduces the risk of colon cancer. Emerging evidence suggests that physical activity (PA) even in the teenage years may impact on colon cancer risk. However, levels of activity in young people are currently low, with around half of UK school children not meeting even minimum UK Government guidelines for health. Innovative interventions are urgently required. Young people may not perceive themselves to be ‘at risk’ for colon cancer (usually diagnosed >65 years). However it feasible that modifying underlying beliefs about cancer risk, whilst simultaneously enhancing PA self-efficacy, could lead to sustained PA behaviour change. Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is a novel technology that has the potential to be used in this context; however, this has yet to best tested. Aims: The overarching aim of the Innerselfie project is to test the hypothesis that a theory-based intervention incorporating IVR, delivered to children aged 13-17 years can (i) change risk and efficacy appraisals and (ii) promote sustained changes in PA. Methods: Given the entirely novel nature of this work, and in line with the MRC framework of designing and evaluating complex interventions, three phases are proposed.. Phase I: The exploratory phase (for which the current funding has been obtained), Phase II: the build/test and development phase and Phase III: a randomised controlled trial to determine efficacy by measuring IRR beliefs, risk and efficacy appraisals, activity levels and relevant cancer biomarkers. Results: Phase I is currently underway and has involved identifying an appropriate partner company with expertise in IVR, collecting qualitative data on colon cancer risk perceptions from young people (thematic analyses currently underway), assembling a steering committee, as well as conducting workshops with our Young People’s Partnership Board (YPPB) to get continuous feedback on creative ideas. Conclusions: This is a novel exploratory study that is still underway, and the presentation will outline the Innerselfie project and summarise findings to date. Acknowledgements This work is funded by a Cancer Research UK Bupa Innovation Grant. We would like to thank the schools involved in this research, and our steering committee. Keywords: virtual reality, risk perceptions, Activity Cycles, Colon Cancer, Theory Conference: 2nd Behaviour Change Conference: Digital Health and Wellbeing, London, United Kingdom, 24 Feb - 25 Feb, 2016. Presentation Type: Poster presentation Topic: Academic Citation: Fisher A, Meisel S, Webb T, Fisher B, Cooke C and Newby K (2016). Innerselfie: can we use Immersive Virtual Reality to change cancer risk perceptions and promote physical activity in young people?. Front. Public Health. Conference Abstract: 2nd Behaviour Change Conference: Digital Health and Wellbeing. doi: 10.3389/conf.FPUBH.2016.01.00086 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 27 Nov 2015; Published Online: 09 Jan 2016. * Correspondence: Dr. Abi Fisher, UCL, Epidemiology and Public Health, London, United Kingdom, abigail.fisher@ucl.ac.uk Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby Google Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby Google Scholar Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby PubMed Abi Fisher Susanne Meisel Thomas Webb Bernadette Fisher Chloe Cooke Katie Newby Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.