Games with rewards for being brave

POTENT drugs can come with gruelling side effects, and it’s often a challenge to keep children coming back for more treatment.

But doctors at Liverpool’s Alder Hey Children’s Hospital have found a way to keep patients motivated by developing a game, played on a tablet, that offers digital ‘rewards’ at each stage of treatment.

Children pick a cartoon character to represent them while they complete a variety of challenges, including playing songs on a keyboard and colourful jigsaw puzzles.

Over time they earn virtual stickers which unlock new outfits for their character, as well as new games. It means children want to come back to hospital, in the hope of winning more rewards. Studies have shown that rewarding children for having unpleasant treatment can combat fear of the hospital.

Alder Hey’s Claire Liddy says the technology has been of particular benefit for those who need regular drug infusions.

‘Children who use the app are more likely to continue with treatment without kicking up much fuss,’ says Liddy. ‘It makes the experience more positive.’