‘Serious Games’ Could Help Women Navigate Cancer Treatment
‘Serious Games’ Could Help Women Navigate Cancer Treatment
‘Serious Games’ Could Help Women Navigate Cancer Treatment
By Asher Jones
July 20, 2023
Summary
This is the kind of scenario that users will encounter in Strong Together, a so-called serious game that researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are developing as an app to help women with advanced breast or gynecologic cancer gain self-advocacy skills to stand up for themselves and become more engaged in their cancer care.
Strong Together is a serious game that aims to help women with advanced breast or gynecologic cancers develop self advocacy skills.
"We wanted to find a way to help women feel empowered to ask questions, understand what is happening and be involved in their treatment decisions from the very beginning of their advanced cancer diagnosis."
Developed in collaboration with patients and patient advocates, Strong Together follows three female characters of different ages and social situations who were recently diagnosed with advanced cancer.
For the pilot trial, Thomas and her team recruited 78 women who were recently diagnosed with incurable breast or gynecologic cancer at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
The researchers found that recruitment and retention of women in the study exceeded expectations: About 85% of participants remained after six months, a noteworthy result because advanced cancer patients are often reluctant to join clinical trials or drop out early.
"If serious games work, what is it about them that makes them work? Right now, it's a black box," said Thomas.
Reference
Jones , A. (2023, July 20). ‘serious games’ could help women navigate cancer treatment . UPMC. https://inside.upmc.com/serious-games-could-help-women-navigate-cancer-treatment/