Alfa test of a gamified technology for children and adolescents in hemodialysis

ABSTRACT

Objective

to present the alpha test of a prototype of a gamified technology, the Nefro Hero®, focused on the Health-Related Quality of Life of pediatric patients on hemodialysis treatment.

Method

a methodological, evaluative research, through the alpha test, with quantitative approach, carried out with eight patients on hemodialysis treatment aged between eight and 16 years. It was developed in four stages: first application of the DISABKIDS® HRQoL inventory; nine game sessions with the patients, individually, during the hemodialysis sessions; second application of the inventory; two brainstorming sessions.

Results

between the first and second applications of the inventory, improvements were identified in the mental domain in the patients' HRQoL, indicating the potential of the primary function of the strategy. Points to be reviewed in the technology before the validation stage were raised.

Conclusion and Implications for Nursing

as it is an alpha test, the results cannot be generalized, but they indicate the potential of the strategy. The article presents an evaluation stage prior to validation, fundamental to the development of game-format technologies and still little explored.

Keyword:
quality of life; kidney dialysis; games and toys; child, adolescent