Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game

Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game app

  • An app designed to teach younger children about asthma, using a fun and interactive game.
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Wizdy Pets - Asthma Game app By Lifeguard Games Inc

Features

  • Education and information.
  • Games.
  • Designed for children.
Clinical review 

4 star review


Read a clinical review below.

Security and privacy

Read more about safety and security when using apps.

Brochures:
Tips to improve your privacy and security [PNG, 200 KB] Health Navigator Charitable Trust, NZ
Staying safe online(external link) Netsafe, NZ

Cost Free
How to get the app

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 below.

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.

Clinical review

4 star review



Reviewer
: Jeremy Steinberg, GP Registrar, RNZCGP
Date of review: February 2018
Platform: Android
Version: 3.0

Comments: This app is most useful for young children with asthma - to motivate and help them engage in self-monitoring and treatment. It comprises a set of mini games designed for children to learn inhalers, spacers, asthma symptoms and triggers. It is a high-quality app, but it is important to note that the spacer technique isn’t quite correct (game uses one breath instead of four) and the colour of the reliever inhaler is red while in New Zealand it is blue, and so this might get confused with the orange preventer fluticasone (flixotide). The content is very basic and so it would only be suitable for young children.
Safety concerns: The reliever inhaler in game is red which might get confused with the preventer fluticasone (flixotide) which is orange. You can’t change it to the more common blue colour. The spacer technique isn’t quite correct (game uses one breath instead of four).
New Zealand relevance: As per safety concerns.

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)

Disclaimer: The NZ Health App Library is a free consumer service to help you decide whether a health app would be suitable for you. Our review process is independent. We have no relationship with the app developers or companies and no responsibility for the service they provide. This means that if you have an issue with one of the apps we have reviewed, you will need to contact the app developer or company directly.

Credits: Healthify editorial team. Healthify is brought to you by Health Navigator Charitable Trust.