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Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game

An app designed to teach younger children about asthma, using a fun and interactive game.

Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game	By Lifeguard Games Inc
	Features Education and information Games Designed for children Get the app from (external link) (external link)
Clinical review	Read a clinical review of this app.
User reviews
Cost	Free

What does the app do?

This app aims to to educate children about asthma, in an enjoyable, entertaining game. In the game, kids adopt a fire-breathing dragon who wants to blow fire like all of its friends, but can't because it has asthma. It's up to kids to care for their pet's asthma. During the game kids learn about asthma care, inhaler timing, inhaler technique, triggers, symptom recognition and appropriate actions to avoid asthma attacks. As children keep their pet dragon healthy, they will unlock each new level and they earn badges by completing missions (there are 30 badges in all). For a more detailed description of the app, got to the website(external link), or iTunes (external link)and for a detailed review, see Reviews.

Wizdy pets screenshots

PROS	CONS
✔ Teaches children about asthma - fun and interactive way to teach children about asthma and introduce words like rescue inhaler, spacer, etc. ✔ The bright colours and bold images are appealing to children, and the reward badges are an incentive to keep playing.	✘ Spacer technique isn’t quite correct, the game shows using one breath rather than four. ✘ You can’t customise inhaler colours. For example the reliver inhaler is red but most children in NZ will have a blue reliever. ✘ The game only allows you to use MDI devices not others, however most children will be using MDIs. ✘ I found that there was not very much emphasis on the difference between preventers and relievers. ✘ The simplistic graphics is targeted to a younger age group - may not appeal to older kids. ✘ Repeated playing of the game can lead to boredom — periodic upgrades would be an advantage.

PROS

CONS

✔ Teaches children about asthma - fun and interactive way to teach children about asthma and introduce words like rescue inhaler, spacer, etc.

✔ The bright colours and bold images are appealing to children, and the reward badges are an incentive to keep playing.

✘ Spacer technique isn’t quite correct, the game shows using one breath rather than four.

✘ You can’t customise inhaler colours. For example the reliver inhaler is red but most children in NZ will have a blue reliever.

✘ The game only allows you to use MDI devices not others, however most children will be using MDIs.

✘ I found that there was not very much emphasis on the difference between preventers and relievers.

✘ The simplistic graphics is targeted to a younger age group - may not appeal to older kids.

✘ Repeated playing of the game can lead to boredom — periodic upgrades would be an advantage.

Privacy and security

To be added. Read more about things you can do to improve your safety and security when using apps.

Review details

Date of review: March 2017
Platform reviewed: Android
App version: 3.0
Download size: 44.3 MB

Learn more

School Asthma Checklist(external link) Asthma and Respiratory Foundation NZ
Connected asthma: how technology will transform care(external link) Asthma UK
Hui CY, Walton R, McKinstry B, et al. The use of mobile applications to support self-management for people with asthma: a systematic review of controlled studies to identify features associated with clinical effectiveness and adherence.(external link) J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2016 Oct 2.
Cook KA, Modena BD, Simon RA. Improvement in Asthma Control Using a Minimally Burdensome and Proactive Smartphone Application.(external link) J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2016 Jul-Aug;4(4):730-737.
Househ M, Hossain N, Jamal A, et al. A cross-sectional content analysis of Android applications for asthma.(external link) Health Informatics J. 2016 Mar 3.
Wu AC, Carpenter JF, Himes BE. Mobile health applications for asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract.(external link) 2015 May-Jun;3(3):446-8
Huckvale K, Morrison C, Ouyang J, et al. The evolution of mobile apps for asthma: an updated systematic assessment of content and tools.(external link) BMC Med. 2015 Mar 23;13:58.
Marcano Belisario JS, Huckvale K, et al. Smartphone and tablet self management apps for asthma.(external link) Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Nov 27;(11)

App developer
If you are the developer and would like to provide updated information about this app, please email the app library manager at applibrary@healthify.org.nz.

Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game

What does the app do?

Privacy and security

Review details

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