Computer game for inner-city children does not improve asthma outcomes

Introduction: The purpose of this randomized control trial was to evaluate the effects of a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) game on asthma symptoms (eg, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and nighttime awakenings) in 7- to 12-year-old inner-city children over 12 weeks. Method: A CAI that focused on reducing environmental irritants/allergens and the correct use of prescribed medications to prevent asthma symptoms was used with 101 children (56 in the intervention group and 45 in the control group). The primary outcome evaluated a change in children's asthma symptoms as measured by responses to nine symptom questions in Juniper's Pediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (PAQOL) and measurements of lung function. Results: No significant changes in asthma symptoms occurred between the two groups before and after the intervention. No significant changes were noted in PAQOL scores for activities, emotions, and total PAQOL score, lung function measurements, and asthma severity between the two groups. Asthma knowledge of both groups was high before intervention, but there were no significant changes between groups after the intervention. Discussion: Findings indicate that this CAI game was not effective in improving asthma symptoms in this group of children.