Effect of Playing Interactive Computer Game on Distress of Insulin Injection Among Type 1 Diabetic Children.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic children and their families experience high level stress because of daily insulin injection.

OBJECTIVES

This study was conducted to investigate the impact of an interactive computer game on behavioral distress due to insulin injection among diabetic children.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this clinical trial, thirty children (3-12 years) with type 1 diabetes who needed daily insulin injection were recruited and allocated randomly into two groups. Children in intervention groups received an interactive computer game and asked to play at home for a week. No special intervention was done for control group. The behavioral distress of groups was assessed before, during and after the intervention by Observational Scale of Behavioral Distress-Revised (OSBD-R).

RESULTS

Repeated measure ANOVA test showed no significantly difference of OSBD-R over time for control group (P = 0.08), but this changes is signification in the study group (P = 0.001). Comparison mean score of distress were significantly different between two groups (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

According to the findings, playing interactive computer game can decrease behavioral distress induced by insulin injection in type 1 diabetic children. It seems this game can be beneficial to be used alongside other interventions.