Asthma Learning Project
Asthma Learning Project
The purpose of this study is to determine the effect on knowledge and behavior of playing an
 educational asthma computer game during a pediatric Emergency Department (ED) asthma visit
 among children ages 7 - 15 years. The ED cares for a high-risk population of children who
 have difficulty accessing preventive care well. The addition of a computer game to usual
 asthma emergency care could be a simple, effective, enjoyable way to improve patients' asthma
 knowledge, beliefs, and management practices. This project has the potential to lead to
 larger studies evaluating the benefit of education with and without behavioral interventions
 such as motivational interviewing.

 This project plans to implement and evaluate the use of a goal setting activity and the
 educational asthma computer game, "Quest for the Code" (Starlight Starbright Children's
 FoundationTM), in the ED of Seattle Children's Hospital. In a randomized trial of Spanish and
 English speaking children ages 7 - 15 years receiving ED care for their asthma, the
 investigators will evaluate the effects of the game on children's asthma knowledge,
 attitudes, and behaviors.

 The investigators aim to compare the change in asthma knowledge and locus of control after 3
 months, for children who play the computerized asthma game, versus those who receive standard
 care in the ED. The investigators will also compare changes in asthma severity and activity
 limitations over 3 months, for children who play the asthma game without goal-setting,
 children who playing the game with goal-setting, and children who receive standard care.

 Overall, the investigators hypothesize that educational asthma game play by pediatric
 patients with acute asthma will improve asthma knowledge, compared with standard care.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Age 7 - 15 years, inclusive.

 -  Patient has a history of asthma or asthma-like symptoms on at least 1 occasion,
 occurring at least 3 months prior to the current episode (may be verbal per
 patient/caregiver).

 -  Patient is presenting to the ED for an acute asthma exacerbation of any type or
 severity.

 -  Available for phone call or mail questionnaire in 2 weeks and 3 months.

 -  Parent able to read English or Spanish.

 -  Child able to understand spoken English or Spanish.

 -  Child able to use a computer and mouse or stylus.

 -  Provider believes the patient is likely to remain in ED for at least one hour.

 -  Informed consent by parent and assent from child

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  Child has previously participated in this study.

 -  Child has a hearing impairment uncompensated for by assistive listening devices.

 -  Significant mental disorder or cognitive impairment that the parent believes would
 preclude competent informed assent or game play.

 -  Child has a baseline motor disorder and the parent is unable to assist using a mouse
 and keyboard

 -  Child has significant medial conditions that have a pulmonary component, in addition
 to their asthma