Gamification for Health and Online Communities: Enhancing Medication Adherence and Emotional Well-being in Pediatric Thalassemia

Thalassemia is an inherited disease that drastically reduces the amount of hemoglobin produced in the body and leads to severe anemia. The number of people suffering from thalassemia is as many as $\mathbf{3 0 0, 0 0 0}$, according to “The China Thalassemia Blue Paper” [1]. The impact of this life-changing disease affects children most, who usually need intensive treatment over a lifetime that includes regular blood transfusions and routine medication. Yet the stringent requirements associated with this treatment regimen combined with a lifetime of living with a chronic disease are stressful and lead to high rates of uncompliant as well as emotional stress for pediatric thalassemia patients. Direct-to-patient incentives or aspects taken from video games are two new healthcare approaches to improving drug adherence [2]. This research paper investigates the potential of gamification and online communities to improve medication adherence and bolster emotional well-being in these young patients. We propose a unique web-based platform with a mobile application that ingeniously melds a virtual pet game and an interactive community. This platform aims to create an ecosystem where pediatric thalassemia patients can be engaged, feel a sense of community, maintain discipline in following their routine lifesaving medications, and provide them with much-needed emotional support. This novel method makes it easy for children with thalassemia to enjoy their lives (equipped by play and social connectivity) instead of suffering due to the burden of managing this chronic disease, thus significantly improving their quality of life.