title: The Communication of Global Cardiovascular Risk by Avatars.
abstract: Communicating numerical estimates of cardiovascular risk (CVR) to patients encourage risk reduction actions. Avatars may enhance the risk messages ability to improve persuasion to adhere to healthy behaviors. We compared the efficacy of a computer-based aid communicating CVR with and without animated avatars for improving intention to adhere to lifestyle changes. Males with intermediate to high CVR received their risk message in 2 versions: an avatar using voice; voice only. Forty-one participants completed the study. Intent to change lifestyle showed a significant effect favoring the avatar (moderate effect size). Intent to follow medical treatments also showed a significant effect favoring the avatar (moderate effect size). An avatar-based computer aid significantly increased participants' intention to adhere to positive behavioral changes.
authors.affiliation: Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.
authors.forename: Jorge G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Bronx/NY Harbor GRECC New York.
authors.forename: Allen D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Andrade
authors.affiliation: Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.
authors.forename: Chandana
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Karanam
authors.affiliation: Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.
authors.forename: Dhurga
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krishnamurthy
authors.affiliation: Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Niño
authors.affiliation: Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.
authors.forename: Ramankumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Anam
authors.affiliation: Miami VAHS Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), Florida.
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sharit
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003142:Communication; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D006266:Health Education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057220:Health Literacy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data