Acceptability of Video Games to Promote Asthma Education and Self-management in Children

Acceptability of Video Games to Promote Asthma Education and Self-management in Children

Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting over 800,000 Canadian children. Knowing how to avoid asthma triggers, to take care of one's health, and to know when and why to do one's treatment can help prevent asthma crises, and have a better quality of life.

Games in health can make the management of asthma easier by helping the child better understand his condition, his triggers, and manage his asthma by himself. Games also offer a personalized experience, where players can receive feedback about their learning. However, few studies explored the use of games in childhood asthma.

This study will test 4 games for children with asthma. Through different characters and scenarios, the goals of the games are to help the child with asthma to better recognize and manage his asthma triggers and symptoms. The objectives of this study are:

• Evaluate the acceptability of these games in children with asthma
• Gather feedback on the games to guide future development

Inclusion Criteria: Along with a parent, children

• aged 8-12 years inclusively
• with physician-diagnosed asthma
• who are on a daily controller medication
• who understand French or English.

Exclusion Criteria: children with

• chronic respiratory conditions other than asthma
• cardiovascular diseases
• neuromuscular disorders
• developmental delay.