Video Games May Help Clear Airway of Cystic Fibrosis Patients

Children who have been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis are required to perform breathing exercises 3-4 times every day. These children usually hate doing this and refuse, preferring to play video games instead. Researchers at the University of Vermont decided to capitalize on the children's stubborness by using medical instruments and current video game technology to combine the "huffing" with fun games. They created a system for children to blow into a digital spirometer, which measures the amount and speed of air exhalation, to do things like blow slime off an animal to earn treasure or fill a car up with gas. The medical goal was to increase repiratory exercises in hopes of keeping the airways clear. In cystic fibrosis, the SGLT transport is malfunctioning, causing a buildup of mucus in the respiratory and digestive tracts. It is believed that doing multiple breathing exercises helps keep the mucus from clogging up the tract.

Results showed that even after one game play, the patients had a better ability to take a deep breath. Most likely, this result occurred because the children were simply doing their breathing exercises more, but with children, often times they just need some sort of incentive to do something and these researchers seemed to have found a good one.

I found this article interesting because we are learning about the respiratory and digestive tracts this semester and so we already know what is happening in cystic fibrosis. Now that we know the underlying cause, it is easier to follow why the researchers would want to increase respiratory exercises. Also, I have a friend who has cystic fibrosis who would really enjoy this article, and who doesn't like medical treatments that involve video games?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/04/110430133119.htm

Rachel Anthony
VTPP 435-501