Identifying Potential Gamification Elements for A New Chatbot for Families With Neurodevelopmental Disorders:...

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Background:

• Chatbots are increasingly explored for healthcare, but their utility for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) remains unclear.
• Gamification, the integration of game elements, is a strategy to enhance user engagement with digital tools.
• No prior research has assessed gamification in chatbots specifically for NDD support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate parental perceptions of gamification elements within chatbots for NDD support.
• To determine the acceptability of implementing gamification in NDD-focused chatbots.

Main Methods:

• A narrative literature review identified relevant gamification elements.
• Health and social science experts prioritized five elements: goal setting, customization, rewards, social networking, and unlockable content.
• Qualitative data was collected through focus groups and interviews with 21 parents of children with NDDs.

Main Results:

• Parents demonstrated familiarity and positive attitudes towards gamification.
• Goal setting was universally important, while customization, rewards, and unlockable content received mixed feedback.
• Social networking was well-received, though concerns about information accuracy were noted.

Conclusions:

• Parents of children with NDDs are receptive to gamification in NDD chatbots.
• This study highlights the importance of user-centered design for medical chatbots.
• Findings provide a basis for developing engaging chatbots for medically vulnerable populations.