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Feasibility of a mobile game to improve diabetes self-management in young people

Year:
2017
Duration:
32 months
Approved budget:
$249,997.76
Researchers:
Professor Ralph Maddison
Health issue:
Diabetes
Proposal type:
Feasibility Study
Lay summary
Diabetes is a public health priority in New Zealand. Engaging adolescents and young adults to manage their Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is challenging, and innovative approaches are needed to help with this. We have developed a prototype mobile game ""Diabetes Mario"" to promote knowledge of the interaction between physical activity and diet with blood glucose, and of blood glucose monitoring in young people. In preliminary research we showed that young children (aged 9-13 years) liked the game (delivered via a Samsung tablet) and found it be fun, and engagement was high. Our aim is to trial the effectiveness of the game to help adolescents and young people better manage their disease. Key feasibility issues relating to the final components of the game, its acceptability and responsiveness to Maori will be assessed in this study. We will also pre-test the game to test recruitment, data collection and engagement.