Examples of gamification in health:

Fitness and nutrition – preventive measures

  1. FitBit - common challenges can be set up through the Fitbit community interfaces and how competition could motivate better gym performances and step counts
  2. Fitness Syncer - collects data from trackers and apps we already use to allow friends to compare one another's progress
  3. CafeWell – gives guidance and support to people who want to live healthier lives. Its personalized programs focus on your own needs to eat better, incorporate exercise into your life, reduce stress, or walk that extra mile.
  4. Vivofit jr. -  encourages kids to stay on the move.
  5. My Fitness Pal – manages nutritional data

Management of diseases

  1. Mango Health - motivate patients to take their medications on time. Users set the times when medications should be taken, and the app reminds them. It also provides information about the medications and warns about drug interactions and side effects. Users earn points towards gift cards or charitable donations in raffles held weekly by taking the medications properly.
  2. Bayer's Didget blood glucose meter - which connects to a Nintendo DS gaming platform, is intended for kids between 4 to 14. It helps manage their diabetes by rewarding them for consistent blood glucose testing. As points accumulate, new game levels and options unlock. There are leader boards with kids who collected the most points, web games and an online community.
  3. MySugr -  gamified solutions for diabetes management in a fun way both for children (mySugr Junior app) and adults.
  4. Monster Guard - helping prepare children for emergencies. It teaches kids through "Monster Guard Academy" how to prepare and stay safe during home fires, hurricanes, floods or other disasters, and they get points and medals for completing tasks.
  5. Cohero Health – help asthma patients with their medication and treatment
  6. Medi&Cate – offer a range of stimulating games for medication adherence

Rehabilitation

  1. SCI Hard gaming app developed by the University of Michigan. Gamified therapies could help in making rehabilitation more fun, stretching abilities playfully and divert attention from pain.
  2. GestureTek Health - applications specific to health, disability, and rehabilitation. Its VR exercise programs enable patients to have fun while stretching their physical and cognitive capabilities.
  3. MindMaze – devices which use virtual reality, brain imaging and gaming technologies to retrain the brain in stroke victims. It also works on solutions for spinal cord injury and amputee patients.

Coping and improving health

  1. Re-mission game series - helping children and young adults suffering from various forms of cancer (Kato et al. 2008)
  2. Ayogo - employs validated measures of perceived self-efficacy and other psychosocial factors to understand better what people value in their lives – not just their health. This enables timely, personalized and relevant interventions aimed at enhancing self-management and improving health outcomes.

Mental health

  1. Eqoo – mental health app to grow resilience, improve relationship skills and increase mental well-being.
  2. Balance – offers personalized meditation to improve mental health.
  3. Headspace – offers meditation and mindfulness techniques to relieve stress.
  4. MindShift – uses CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) to help people living with anxiety.

Last modified: Monday, 3 October 2022, 1:14 PM