Accepted for/Published in: JMIRx Med
Date Submitted: May 19, 2020
Date Accepted: Feb 12, 2021
Date Submitted to PubMed: Sep 19, 2023
Development of a Physical Activity Mobile Game for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients: Game Development Protocol
ABSTRACT
Background:
Importance Physical activity mobile applications (apps) may encourage cancer patients to increase exercise, consequently decreasing cancer-related fatigue. While many fitness apps are currently available for download, most of them are not well suited for cancer patients due to unique barriers patients face, such as fatigue, pain, and nausea.
Objective:
The aim of this paper is to design, develop, and perform Alpha testing of a physical activity mobile health game for hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients. The ultimate goal of this project is to motivate and track HSCT patient and to increase their awareness of the importance of physical activity and provide them with a safe and fun way to exercise.
Methods:
A mobile health game called Walking Warrior (WW) was designed as a matching puzzle game with an added feature of a step counter. WW came to fruition after following an iterative process model with several prototypes. Computer programmers and bone marrow transplant nurses were recruited to perform expert heuristic usability evaluation of the WW prototype by completing a heuristics questionnaire and providing qualitative suggestions for improvement.
Results:
Findings from the expert heuristic usability evaluation suggest the game’s assets of clarity, ease of use, appropriateness, quality, motivation, and mental effort were moderately favorable. Experts recommend improvements on speed, movement of tiles, appearance, and accuracy of the step counter.
Conclusions:
The evaluation provided qualitative information to further improve game design and development. This mobile game could ultimately help patients increase physical activity as an aid to recovery.
Citation
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