RESUMO
Adolescent cystic fibrosis has significant impacts on the physical, psychological, and social development of the kids who suffer from it. Physical therapies can be effective, but compliance in the age group is a challenge that has gotten the attention of doctors, nurses, and game developers. The following roundtable discussion illustrates some of the work being done in this important field.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: The authors hypothesized that playing a simulation game designed according to Multiple Identification Theory (MIT) would improve attitudes toward treatment adherence among adolescent cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Study participants (n=16) were recruited from a large Midwestern children's hospital. As part of a within-group pilot study, they played "My Life with CF," an MIT simulation game. Their attitudes toward treatment adherence and general decision-making were assessed prior to playing the game. They were measured again immediately post-play and 1 month afterward. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences (P<0.05) were found immediately post-treatment on questionnaires concerning participants' holding present versus future-centered orientations and their attitudes toward adherence. One month post-treatment, significant differences were found regarding participants' attitudes toward adherence and whether luck or effort determines what happens to them in life. Effect sizes for all these differences ranged from large (r(2)=0.31) to very large (r(2)=0.94). CONCLUSION: The MIT-based "My Life with CF" game was effective at changing adolescent CF patients' attitudes toward adherence.
