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.

Abstract

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.