Knowledge transfer for patients

with chronic pain

Harriet Wittink and Anita Cremers

Utrecht University of Applied Sciences

Research groups

‘Lifestyle and Health’ and ‘Co-design’

2

Size of the problem

2.25 million Dutch people have chronic pain

(1:5)

The number of patients =

all diabetes + heart + cancer patients

3

Education

4

5

Educational interactive board

game with minigames

Family game

Physiotherapist at a distance

Content of minigames?

6

Game design workshop with

physiotherapists

Make combinations of

revalidation phase, pain education theme,

learning goals, game types

Design a minigame

goal of the game

rules of the game

materials needed

mechanisms of the game

intended behavior/effect

sketch

7

Results

24 participants, 7 game ideas

some insights not only about pain, but about functioning in general

players should both gain knowledge and have fun

players should be motivated to listen to each other, patient

should feel heard

for patients with a small network: possibility to play with two

people, or with other pain patients

take into account the age of patients

game should allow integration in own life: smart phone, Wii, …

game should stimulate patient empowerment: player in control

8

Example games

Good4YouGoal: Insight in what helps to

alleviate the pain.

Mechanism: Taking care of a

garden together. The garden

represents the patient and calls for

attention, signal goes to patient and

family. If they

act well, the

garden grows.

The garden

provides food

for discussion.

Compare with

other families.

Energy managementGoal: Learn to dosage activities

through making choices.

Mechanism: Try to acquire points

by answering questions; make

choices for activities, receive more

or less energy. Awareness of

factors that give or take energy.

Different platforms, also smart

phone: relate to choices in real life.

9

Future work

Use insights and game ideas to create

prototypes of new minigames

Evaluate with physical therapists

Evaluate with chronic pain patients and

families

Implement in revalidation process