Developing Digital Games to Address Airway Clearance Therapy in Children With Cystic Fibrosis: Participatory Design Process

The development of digital games for pediatric cystic fibrosis patients serves as a critical intervention to improve adherence to daily airway clearance therapy. By integrating breath-pressure sensors into interactive gameplay, this initiative seeks to transform a repetitive, physically demanding medical necessity into an engaging experience. The core thesis posits that participatory design, which involves multidisciplinary teams and direct collaboration with pediatric patients, is essential for creating health interventions that successfully balance clinical requirements with compelling, user-centered mechanics.

The research reveals that while children respond positively to gamified therapy, maintaining long-term engagement remains a significant hurdle. Early prototypes often suffered from overly rigid, exercise-constrained mechanics that hindered the overall experience. Consequently, the findings suggest a shift toward more flexible, immersive gameplay that prioritizes player autonomy and narrative integration. Furthermore, while rapid prototyping events like game jams are useful for initial concept generation, they are insufficient for producing high-quality, sustainable medical tools. Instead, the creation of effective digital health solutions requires iterative testing and the use of modular asset databases to ensure long-term viability.

To foster ongoing innovation, the project emphasizes the importance of open-source development, recommending that source code be released under open licenses to encourage community-led improvements. This approach, supported by a robust framework of existing literature on digital health regulations and design methodologies, provides a scalable model for future serious game development. Ultimately, the success of these interventions depends on embedding health content seamlessly within narratives that respect the user’s agency, ensuring that medical adherence is achieved through intrinsic motivation rather than forced compliance.