Game Changer: Investing in Digital Play to Advance Children's Learning and Health

Based on a literature review and interviews with digital learning experts, explores how digital games can foster skills and knowledge for better academic performance and health. Makes recommendations for government research, partnerships, and media

A systematic review of game technologies for pediatric patients

[EN] Children in hospital are subjected to multiple negative stimuli that may hinder their development and social interactions. Although game technologies are thought to improve children's experience in hospital, there is a lack of information on how they can be used effectively. This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on the existing approaches in this context to identify gaps for future research. A total of 1305 studies were identified, of which 75 were thoroughly analyzed according to our review protocol. The results show that the most common approach is to design mono-user games with traditional computers or monitor-based video consoles, which serve as a distractor or a motivator for physical rehabilitation for primary school children undergoing fearful procedures such as venipuncture, or those suffering chronic, neurological, or traumatic diseases/injures. We conclude that, on the one hand, game technologies seem to present physical and psychological benefits to pediatric patients, but more research is needed on this. On the other hand, future designers of games for pediatric hospitalization should consider: 1. The development for kindergarten patients and adolescents, 2. Address the psychological impact caused by long-term hospitalization, 3. Use collaboration as an effective game strategy to reduce patient isolation, 4. Have purposes other than distraction, such as socialization, coping with emotions, or fostering physical mobility, 5. Include parents/caregivers and hospital staff in the game activities; and 6. Exploit new technological artifacts such as robots and tangible interactive elements to encourage intrinsic motivation.This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Development Regional Fund (EDRF-FEDER) with Project TIN2014-60077-R.El Jurdi, S.; Montaner-Marco, J.; García Sanjuan, F.; Jaén Martínez, FJ.; Nácher-Soler, VE. (2018). A systematic review of game technologies for pediatric patients. Computers in Biology and Medicine. 97:89-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.04.019S891129

Parental Shared Reading Intervention: Examining the Effects of Structured Parental Reading Training on Vocabulary Acquisition in Children Undergoing Treatment for Leukemia

Children diagnosed with leukemia often fail to progress academically, even falling behind due to hospitalizations and prolonged treatment protocols. Naturally, their medical challenges take priority over all other issues, though eventually absences from school place them at risk for academic deficits after the completion of treatment (Tsimicalis et al., 2018). As well, the neurotoxicity associated with chemotherapy damages their central nervous systems, exacerbating school related problems (Lewis et al., 2010). Since the survival rate for children with leukemia has improved dramatically in recent years, intervention aimed at ameliorating these problems has potent benefits. The current study compared structured and unstructured parental reading programs in a sample of children diagnosed with leukemia focused on improving their vocabulary growth, an important factor facilitating academic success. The parents of these children participated in the intervention with their children during hospitalization. Nineteen parent-child dyads were recruited to participate in this investigation. The implementation of two different forms of reading programs, dialogic reading (structured) and read-alouds (unstructured), took place after the parent participants had received training on these topics. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised (PPVT-R) served as the pre/post assessment of vocabulary, measuring any gains obtained by the children in both groups. Parents in both groups read aloud to their children on a daily basis during the five-week intervention period. To assess treatment fidelity, the principal investigator texted the parent participants weekly. This study analyzed PPVT-R data using pre and post growth scale values (GSV). GSV differences determined the significance of the vocabulary gains (Dunn & Dunn, 2007, p. 21). Results indicated that the main effect for the within-subjects factor, changes in value of the GSV, in the period between pre and post assessment, did reveal a significant difference. The data suggests areas for future research and the instructional implications of the findings

Effects of Childhood Cancer and Hospitalization on Preschool Aged Children: Benefits of Movement Programming in Child Life Departments

Child Life departments have been prominent in most children‘s hospitals to provide psychosocial care for children experiencing time in a hospital environment. This presentation will demonstrate the impact of Child Life intervention in pediatric oncology as well as promote new ideas for movement/dance therapy Child Life programming. New methods for healthcare therapies have been rapidly increasing especially in cancer treatment centers. The creative arts have been implemented into pediatric hospitals as a form of therapy for children and families undergoing treatments. The overview of play therapy and the developmental purpose it provides for preschool aged children is essential to understand why it is important to have in an environment such as the hospital. Play therapy is a new and upcoming type of therapy that focuses on helping children understand and deal with issues triggered from being hospitalized. Through play and the creative arts children are able to cope, portray their fears and anxieties, and have a sense of normalization. Children‘s Hospitals use this technique to help children cope with their illnesses in and outside of their time in the hospital. New perspectives on play therapy and ideas on how to tie in movement/dance therapy to greater benefit the Child Life department are offered through this research

Effects of Childhood Cancer and Hospitalization on Preschool Aged Children: Benefits of Play Therapy and Movement Therapy

Child life departments have been prominent in most children’s hospitals to provide psychosocial care for children experiencing time in a hospital environment. This presentation will demonstrate the impact of Child Life intervention in pediatric oncology as well as promote new ideas for movement/dance therapy child life programming. New methods for healthcare therapies have been rapidly increasing especially in cancer treatment centers. The creative arts have been implemented into pediatric hospitals as a form of therapy for children and families undergoing treatments. The overview of play therapy and its developmental significance it provides for preschool aged children is essential to understand why it is important to have in an environment such as the hospital. Play therapy is a new and upcoming type of therapy that focuses on helping children understand and deal with issues triggered from being hospitalized. Through play and the creative arts children are able to cope, portray their fears and anxieties, and have a sense of normalization. Children’s hospitals use this technique to help children cope with their illnesses in and outside of their time in the hospital. New perspectives on play therapy and ideas on how to tie in movement/dance therapy to greater benefit the child life department are offered through this research

Momentum Clinic for Teen and Young Adult Cancer Patients

This study explores the needs of teen and young adult cancer patients undergoing long-term chemotherapy treatments and the design of an outpatient clinic that accommodates this population’s unique needs. Most teens endure long-term treatments in a pediatric facility targeted primarily for children, while others are treated in adult facilities. Teens have different privacy and social needs than children, and while they are not adults, they are involved in their own treatment decisions, unlike children. The target age group for this study is teens and young adults, ages thirteen to twenty-two. A common theme emerged from research and interviews conducted in the project: these young patients feel an overwhelming sense of isolation. This informed the design of the clinic, which includes spaces where teens and young adults have private spaces for treatment, but larger group spaces that promote connections among each other. Pathways between the various spaces are important. Incorporating nature, environmentally conscious and healthy materials, accessibility, and comfort were essential considerations for the design. The design hypothesis for this project is that a place that targets the unique needs of teens and young adults could make a difference in their experience and ultimately in their healing

What Works? A Qualitative Exploration of Play Therapy for Children in Pediatric Oncology

This qualitative phenomenological study seeks to understand the use and perceived effectiveness of play interventions for patients with socio-emotional issues brought about by their treatment of pediatric cancer by exploring the perceptions of nine Certified Child Life Specialists and one Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker who works with this population. Interviews, done over Zoom with each participant, were semi-structured, and between thirty minutes to an hour in length. Questions asked explored what socio-emotional issues they see develop in their patients throughout their treatment, and their perceived effectiveness of play in mitigating those socio-emotional issues. After transcription nof each interview analysis ensued. Following multiple rounds of coding, five core themes and five subthemes were identified and the essence of play interventions in pediatric oncology units emerged. The essence is best characterized as trust is the foundation of coping ; highlighting that the rapport built between the clinician, child, and family opens the door for needs to be identified, coping skills to be taught, and for the clinician to empower the family in the hospital setting

State of Tennessee cancer plan 2018 - 2022

Tennessee Department of Health Authorization No. 355550.This electronic publication was promulgated at zero cost. March 2020This work was supported by Cooperative Agreement #NU58DP006307 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.Publication date from document properties.tennessee_ccc_plan-508.pdfCooperative Agreement #NU58DP00630