Using a video game to encourage HPV vaccination in children

Pilot Testing of a Game-Based Intervention to Promote HPV Vaccination in Families with Unvaccinated Children

NIH-funded research Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences · NIH-10909265

This study is testing a fun video game called HPV Detective that helps kids and their parents learn about the importance of getting the HPV vaccine, with the goal of making more families want to get vaccinated.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHenry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (East Lansing, United States)
Project IDNIH-10909265 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new approach to increase HPV vaccination rates among children aged 0-11 by using a video game called HPV Detective. The game is designed for both youth and their parents, aiming to educate them about the importance of HPV vaccination in a fun and engaging way. The study will assess how well this game is accepted and whether it effectively increases the intent to vaccinate and actual vaccination rates. By focusing on the challenges faced by healthcare providers in promoting HPV education, this intervention seeks to provide a scalable solution to improve vaccination rates.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are families with children aged 0-11 who have not yet received the HPV vaccine.

Not a fit: Patients who have already been vaccinated against HPV or are outside the age range of 0-11 may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase HPV vaccination rates among children, leading to reduced incidence of HPV-related cancers.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promise in using game-based interventions to improve health behaviors, suggesting that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

East Lansing, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.