The effect of a digital gamified breastfeeding counselling program on breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, and breast-related problems
A randomized controlled trial in Turkiye
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 17589141 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Özlem Ülkü Bulut (0000-0003-0810-3381, Lokman Hekim Üniversitesi, corresponding author), Zehra Golbasi (Lokman Hekim Üniversitesi) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-18 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Health Education Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0268-1153 • E-ISSN: 1465-3648 |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1093/her/cyag014 |
| PMID | 42054016 |
| OpenAlex | W7158308747 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 29 |
This single-site, pilot-scale randomized controlled study intended to evaluate the effects of a self-determination theory-informed (D6 gamification model-based) gamified breastfeeding counselling program on breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, and breast-related problems in postpartum participants. A pretest-posttest randomized controlled trial was conducted with 60 pregnant individuals recruited from a single university-affiliated private hospital in Türkiye, using a pilot-scale parallel group design. Participants were assigned to experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups by block randomization that was performed by an independent statistician. Due to the behavioural nature of the intervention, participant blinding was not feasible; however, outcome analyses were conducted by a blinded biostatistician. The intervention group received a digitally delivered gamified breastfeeding counselling program from gestational week 35 until week 2 postpartum, while the control group received routine prenatal and postnatal care. Data were obtained for validated measures of breastfeeding self-efficacy, breastfeeding success, and breast-related problems. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted with SPSS 28.0 software. At week 2 postpartum, the mean breastfeeding self-efficacy scale-short form scores were significantly higher in the gamified counselling group than the control group (63.6 ± 6.2 versus 54.3 ± 8.4, P < .001, Cohen's d = 1.26). Breastfeeding performance also favoured the intervention group, with higher infant breastfeeding assessment tool scores (8.6 ± 1.1 versus 7.3 ± 1.4, P < .001) and LATCH breastfeeding assessment scores (9.3 ± 0.7 versus 8.4 ± 1.1, P = .002). Furthermore, breast fullness severity that was assessed using a dichotomous self-reported outcome (present/absent) checklist in which higher scores indicate more severe fullness, was lower in the intervention group than the control group (2.5 ± 1.1 versus 4.0 ± 1.2, P < .001). Gamified breastfeeding counselling was effective in enhancing breastfeeding self-efficacy and breastfeeding success and reduced common breast-related problems. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility and short-term benefits of integrating gamification-based strategies into breastfeeding education, warranting larger multicenter studies with extended follow-up
Blinding · Breast feeding · Breast milk · Breastfeeding · Checklist · Randomization · Randomized controlled trial · Breastfeeding Practices and Influences · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
| Citations per year | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |