3.7 million people under age 18 are affected by asthma and must learn to self-manage their condition in order to avoid potentially life-threatening situations. The widespread availability of home-based video game systems creates a channei for teachinz asthma self-management skills to children. A fun and motivating educational intervention could equip children with the knowledge and self-management skills needed to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma episodes and use of emergency services. Raya Systems develops health education video games and has completed development of an asthma education game using its own funds. The player assumes the role of an appealing character who has asthma, and must avoid common asthma triggers and learn self-management skills such as taking medication, resting, drinking fluids, and calling for help. The investigators will evaluate the effects of the game on children's knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in a respiratory clinic in a children's hospital, using a pre-test/post-test counter balanced design. The investigators will use the results of the evaluation to revise the game as needed. In phase II they will create a commercially viable video game for children and families affected by asthma, and will test its effectiveness in a summative evaluation.Awardee's statement of the potential commercial applications of the research:An educational and appealing video zame that effectively increases children's knowledge, skills, and positive attitudes about asthma self-management would have widespread commercial appeal for children, parents, schools, physicians, and health educators.National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
