A Physical Activity Mobile Game for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients: App Design, Development, and...

Area of Science:

• Mobile health game development
• Cancer survivorship research
• Digital health interventions

Background:

• Physical activity apps can reduce cancer-related fatigue.
• Existing apps are often unsuitable for cancer patients due to barriers like fatigue and nausea.
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients require tailored physical activity solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a mobile health game, Walking Warrior, for HSCT patients.
• To conduct alpha testing and expert usability evaluation of the game.
• To motivate HSCT patients to increase physical activity safely and engagingly.

Main Methods:

• Developed Walking Warrior, a puzzle-based mobile game integrating an open-source step counter and MySQL database.
• Employed an iterative design process with multiple prototypes.
• Conducted expert usability evaluation with game developers and nurses using heuristic questionnaires and qualitative feedback.
• Evaluated open-source step counter programs for accuracy, robustness, and usability.

Main Results:

• Expert usability evaluation yielded excellent internal consistency and reliability (Cronbach α=.933).
• Factor analysis revealed five key favorable factors: clarity and ease, appropriateness, game quality, motivation to walk, and mental effort.
• Qualitative feedback guided improvements in game speed, tile movement, appearance, and step counter accuracy.

Conclusions:

• Expert and clinician feedback confirmed favorable game design attributes.
• The Walking Warrior mobile game shows promise as a tool to enhance physical activity in HSCT patients.
• This intervention has the potential to support patient recovery through increased exercise.