Using A Video Game to Teach Children About Asthma

3.7 million people under age 18 are affected by asthma and must learn to self-manage theircondition in order to avoid potentially life-threatening situations. The widespread availability ofhome-based video game systems creates a channel for teaching asthma self-management skills tochildren. A fun and motivating educational intervention could equip children with the knowledge andself-management skills needed to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes and use ofemergency services. Raya Systems develops health education video games and has completeddevelopment of an asthma education game using its own funds. The player assumes the role of anappealing character who has asthma, and must avoid common asthma triggers and learn self-managem-ent skills such as taking medication, resting, drinking fluids, and calling for help. The investigators willevaluate the effects of the game on children's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in a respiratory clinicin a children's hospital, using a pre-test/post-test counter balanced design. The investigators will usethe results of the evaluation to revise the game as needed. In phase II they will create a commerciallyviable video game for children and families affected by asthma, and will test its effectiveness in asummative evaluation.