EAI Endorsed Transactions on Pervasive Health and Technology (Mar 2022)
Increasing motivation for cancer treatment adherence in children through a mobile educational game: a pilot study
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: It is crucial to educate childhood cancer patients (CCPs) about their illness and motivate them for cancertreatment and treatment side-effects management.OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the design, development and pilot evaluation of the proposed serious game interventionwith CCPs in Malaysia.METHODS: A single-centre, single-arm intervention was conducted with CCPs (n=8). Surveys were done pre-test and post-test.RESULTS: The Protection Motivation Theory was used to measure the participants' motivation. Self-reported surveys withCCPs and caregiver dyads showed a significant increase in participants’ intention to use cancer treatment. Although theincrease in the intention to use daily self-care and cancer knowledge survey scores was not substantial, the post-testcaregivers' feedback revealed that the game was beneficial for their children.CONCLUSION: Early results of the study have shown the intervention’s potential to boost the knowledge and motivationsof CCPs.
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