<p>Gamification for Diabetes Type 1 Management: A Review of the Features of Free Apps in Google Play and App Stores</p>

Abstract

The objective of this study was to review most of the existing free m-Health applications (Apps) that use the gamification approach to manage diabetes type 1 in both App and Google Play stores. Methods: Free mobile health applications "apps" that were related to diabetes mellitus have been identified in both App and Google Play stores. In order to cover all the mentioned applications, the following keywords, "game for type 1 diabetes" and "gamification for type 1 diabetes" were used in English and Arabic languages. All applications that were collected in the inclusion process were carefully analyzed, and the game name, game description, game features, game mechanics, game themes, and operating systems were recorded. Results: A total of eight gamified applications related to type 1 diabetes were identified. Seven of these applications were in English language and only one application was in Arabic language. The applications were categorized into three main categories based on the theme of the application. The categories were taking care of a character, quizzes, and the storytelling theme. Moreover, there was no application that included the social networking feature. Conclusion:This study highlighted the most important features of the free mobile health applications "apps" for diabetes type 1 available in Google Play and App stores that can contribute to enhance the self-management of the diabetes condition by patients in Saudi Arabia. The identified applications have important characteristics that can be used in the future for the care and self-control of type 1 diabetic patients in Saudi Arabia.

Caregiver’s Opinions on the Design of the Screens of a Future Gamified Mobile Application for Self-Management of Type 1 Diabetes in Children in Saudi Arabia

“…These authors suggested that the presence of a character in the application contributes to adherence to medication as well as to increase the blood glucose level readings [ 26 ]. Additionally, a recently published review showed that out of eight commercial-free applications, five of them used a character to be cared for by users (Commander Gage, Jerry the Bear, Pandabetic, Diapets, and Glucozor) [ 25 ]. As suggested by nearly a third of the caregivers, this feature was incorporated in the design of the screens of the gamified application proposed in this study.…”

“…A study conducted by Stone suggested that the use of a friend challenge feature improves the self-management of diabetes condition through the competition concept [ 27 ]. It is pertinent to comment that no commercial application of the aforementioned literature review included a friend challenge function [ 25 ].…”

“…According to a study carried out by Cafazzo et al, the use of rewarding principles increases the frequency of blood glucose readings [ 29 ]. About the commercial applications reviewed in the study mentioned above, the most widely used rewarding principle was points [ 25 ]. This principle was used in three commercial applications: Jerry the Bear, Pandabetic, Diapets, and Glucozor [ 25 ].…”

“…About the commercial applications reviewed in the study mentioned above, the most widely used rewarding principle was points [ 25 ]. This principle was used in three commercial applications: Jerry the Bear, Pandabetic, Diapets, and Glucozor [ 25 ].…”

“…The questionnaire used to obtain the opinion of the caregivers on the design of the screens of the gamified application for children with type 1 diabetes is described in Appendix 1 . To design the questions, the commercial gamified applications for self-management of type 1 diabetes in children published in a recent study were analyzed [ 25 ]. Next, the characteristics most used in these applications were selected and adapted to our study.…”