Development and evaluation of an interactive CD-ROM for children with leukemia and their families

Abstract

To meet the need for an interactive software product to educate children with leukemia, ages 4-11 years, and their families about the disease and its treatment, we developed and evaluated an interactive, comprehensive, multimedia CD-ROM product, Kidz with Leukemia: A Space Adventure. The prototype was tested using a randomized controlled experimental design. Children with leukemia and their parents were randomized to receive either the newly developed CD-ROM or the book You and Leukemia by Lynn Baker. Health care providers (HCPs) and other content/ technical experts evaluated only the CD-ROM. Data were collected on children's health locus of control, their understanding of leukemia, and the satisfaction of participants with their assigned intervention. Children in the CD-ROM group, compared with those in the book group, showed increased feelings of control over their health. Although there was a high level of satisfaction with the CD-ROM among all users, younger children and their parents were most satisfied. In conclusion, the CD-ROM, Kidz with Leukemia: A Space Adventure, was found to be a useful, engaging, and empowering tool for children with leukemia and can serve as a model for developing future health-related educational materials.

Improvement in Cancer-Related Knowledge Following Use of a Psychoeducational Video Game for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer

“…That study compared two small groups of children (4 -11 years old) with leukemia who received either a video game intervention (Kidz with Leukemia) or an information booklet. Although the results showed some positive effects attributable to the game, there was no effect of the game or the booklet on knowledge about leukemia [6]. Comparable studies of children with other chronic diseases, such as asthma or diabetes, indicate that video games may be especially attractive to younger patients with chronic illnesses.…”

Brief Interventions and Motivational Interviewing With Children, Adolescents, and Their Parents in Pediatric Health Care Settings

“…38 For example, children who participated with their parents in an adjunctive Internet therapy program for pediatric encopresis demonstrated greater improvements in toileting behaviors than did children who did not receive the Internet intervention. 35 In addition, media-based interventions have also had success in educating children and parents about childhood chronic illness, including asthma, 39,40 cystic fibrosis, 41 leukemia, 42 and congenital heart disease. 43 A limitation of these interventions is that they often aim to increase knowledge, and it is unclear how knowledge gains translate to behavior change.…”

Internet-based behavioral change and psychosocial care for patients with cardiovascular disease: A review of cardiac disease-specific applications

“…14,17,18 Although there is no conclusive evidence of online education's overall superiority versus traditional teaching tools, such as books or pamphlets, studies of cardiac populations 19 as well as other medical populations [20][21][22] suggest they are, at the very least, equally effective. Further, Brug et al 8 suggest that computerized education is more readily adaptable to the individual and his or her needs than paper formats.…”