Using mobile technology to change the world for kids with asthma

Using mobile technology to change Using mobile technology to change the world for kids with asthmathe world for kids with asthma

Team Dragon

Pierre EliasNithin Rajan

The Abramson Center for the Future of Health

Challenge – Pediatric asthmaChallenge – Pediatric asthma

Asthma is a serious global problemCost

Prevalence

Trauma

Technology to Improve Asthma Management

Treatment and its weaknessTreatment and its weakness

Analyze change in lung function using devices

Record daily in an asthma log

Intervene early to prevent emergency

One problem…

Kids donKids don’’t like that!t like that!

Only 50% adherence rate to standard care

Our approachOur approach

PLAY

EnjoyableConvenient

Valuable

Emerging mobile technologyEmerging mobile technology

Windows Phone 7 XNA – easy to develop cell phone games

Current spirometers Expensive - $500-1000 Proprietary

Our spirometer Inexpensive - $50-100 Portable Open-source

AzmoAzmo the Dragonthe Dragon

Cell phone game with Rice spirometer as input device

Side-scrolling 2D role playing game Tilt and tap to defeat minor buildings and their defenders Use spirometer to defeat main castle with fire breath

Game records spirometer readings and alerts player to decline in lung volume

Promote Lung Assessment in Youth

Diagnostic strategy - CARDiagnostic strategy - CAR

Calibrate – Create a baseline measurement of healthy lung volume and hatch Azmo

Assess – Check your lung volume and help Azmo conquer a new world

Review – See a history of your lung volume and Azmo’s progress

Rewarding adherence in Rewarding adherence in AzmoAzmo

Goal: Have player use spirometer daily

Beyond awareness to clinical connectivity

Reward player with special loot/abilities for consistent use of spirometer

Proven strategies from existing games

Future directions for Future directions for AzmoAzmo

Use geo-location to incorporate current environmental factors into game

Build player community via social networking

Commercialize a finished product

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements National Science Foundation

Game Design – J. WarrenComputer Science, Rice University

Medical Team − Dr. C. Dacso, N. RajanAbramson Center for the Future of HealthThe Methodist Hospital Research Institute

Spirometer – A. Sabharwal, S. Gupta ECE, Rice University