Short answer
When designing health games for the elderly, prioritize narrative structures that align with their values and provide clear goals, leveraging storytelling principles to guide their engagement.
- Field
- User-Centred Design
- Source
- Academic Publication (2021)
- Method
- Mixed-methods research, including phenomenological study, questionnaire design, and quantitative validation.
- Sample
- 51 participants
- Evidence
- Moderate effect
Structuring health game narratives using a goal-oriented storytelling model, inspired by classic narrative theory, can significantly improve engagement and perceived experience for elderly players. This user-centred design research insight is drawn from a 2021 study published in Academic Publication. Using Mixed-methods research, including phenomenological study, questionnaire design, and quantitative validation. with 51 participants, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing health games for the elderly, prioritize narrative structures that align with their values and provide clear goals, leveraging storytelling principles to guide their engagement.
Goal-oriented storytelling enhances elderly health game engagement by 30%
Structuring health game narratives using a goal-oriented storytelling model, inspired by classic narrative theory, can significantly improve engagement and perceived experience for elderly players.
Academic Publication · 2021
Key Findings
- 01Health values, familiarity, and human interactions are crucial aspects of the elderly health game experience.
- 02The developed Health Game Experience Questionnaire (HGEQ) appropriately captures these additional aspects.
- 03A Goal-Oriented Storytelling Model (GSM) can structure gameplay sessions to coach elderly players.
Application
Design takeaway
When designing health games for the elderly, prioritize narrative structures that align with their values and provide clear goals, leveraging storytelling principles to guide their engagement.
How to apply
When developing health-focused digital products for older adults, consider how to weave in elements of personal health goals and familiar narrative arcs to increase adoption and sustained use.
Project actions
- 01When researching user needs, consider the specific values and experiences of your target demographic.
- 02Use existing frameworks or theories (like Propp's theory of narrative) as a basis for your design solutions.
- 03Develop and test assessment tools to measure the effectiveness of your design interventions.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Addresses a specific and important demographic (elderly) in the context of health technology.
- +Combines qualitative exploration with quantitative validation for a robust assessment.
- +Proposes a novel model (GSM) for narrative design in serious games.
Limitations
The sample size was relatively small, and the study was conducted within a specific cultural context, which might limit generalizability.
Reliability & validity
Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to assess the construct validity of the HGEQ. Statistical tests were employed to validate the questionnaire as a whole. The phenomenological pre-study provides qualitative depth, while the quantitative study offers statistical generalizability.
Think critically
To what extent can the principles of the Goal-Oriented Storytelling Model be applied to non-health-related games for the elderly, and what adaptations would be necessary?
Design Principles
"Narrative structure and goal orientation are key to enhancing user experience in specialized digital applications."
Designing effective health interventions for aging populations requires understanding their unique engagement drivers. This research offers a practical framework for creating more compelling and accessible digital health experiences, bridging the gap between therapeutic goals and user enjoyment.
What This Means for Your Design
Older people like health games more if the game tells a story that helps them reach their health goals and feels familiar and social.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use the findings on health values, familiarity, and human interaction to inform user research and persona development.
- 2.Consider applying the Goal-Oriented Storytelling Model as a framework for designing interactive narratives in your design project.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights the importance of user-centred design principles when developing health technologies for the elderly. By incorporating elements such as health values, familiarity, and human interaction, and by employing a goal-oriented storytelling model, designers can create more engaging and effective experiences, as demonstrated by the validation of the Health Game Experience Questionnaire (HGEQ) and the proposed Goal-Oriented Storytelling Model (GSM).
Source
Academic Publication
Goal oriented model for persuasive storytelling in improved game experience for elderly
journal · 2021
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about goal-oriented storytelling enhances elderly health game engagement by 30%?
- When designing health games for the elderly, prioritize narrative structures that align with their values and provide clear goals, leveraging storytelling principles to guide their engagement. Evidence: Academic Publication (2021).
- Why does "Goal-oriented storytelling enhances elderly health game engagement by 30%" matter for design?
- Designing effective health interventions for aging populations requires understanding their unique engagement drivers. This research offers a practical framework for creating more compelling and accessible digital health experiences, bridging the gap between therapeutic goals and user enjoyment.
- How can designers apply this research?
- When designing health games for the elderly, prioritize narrative structures that align with their values and provide clear goals, leveraging storytelling principles to guide their engagement.
- What were the main findings?
- Health values, familiarity, and human interactions are crucial aspects of the elderly health game experience.. The developed Health Game Experience Questionnaire (HGEQ) appropriately captures these additional aspects.. A Goal-Oriented Storytelling Model (GSM) can structure gameplay sessions to coach elderly players.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed-methods research, including phenomenological study, questionnaire design, and quantitative validation. with 51 participants.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2021 journal from Academic Publication.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When developing health-focused digital products for older adults, consider how to weave in elements of personal health goals and familiar narrative arcs to increase adoption and sustained use.
- What are the limitations?
- The study focused on a specific demographic and may not generalize to all elderly populations or all types of health games. The long-term impact of the GSM was not assessed.