Computer game for inner-city children does not improve asthma outcomes.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of this randomized control trial was to evaluate the effects of a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) game on asthma symptoms (eg, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and nighttime awakenings) in 7- to 12-year-old inner-city children over 12 weeks.


METHODS
A CAI that focused on reducing environmental irritants/allergens and the correct use of prescribed medications to prevent asthma symptoms was used with 101 children (56 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group). The primary outcome evaluated a change in children's asthma symptoms as measured by responses to nine symptom questions in Juniper's Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQOL) and measurements of lung function.


RESULTS
No significant changes in asthma symptoms occurred between the two groups before and after the intervention. No significant changes were noted in PAQOL scores for activities, emotions, and total PAQOL score, lung function measurements, and asthma severity between the two groups. Asthma knowledge of both groups was high before intervention, but there were no significant changes between groups after the intervention.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate that this CAI game was not effective in improving asthma symptoms in this group of children.
Huss
Karen
K
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, Md, USA. khuss@son.jhmi.edu
Winkelstein
Marilyn
M
Nanda
Joy
J
Naumann
Phyllis Luers
PL
Sloand
Elizabeth D
ED
Huss
Richard W
RW
D001249:Asthma / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D015142:Baltimore; D002648:Child; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health; D018910:Video Games / Q000592:standards*