Champlain College’s Emergent Media Center will team with the University of Vermont College of Medicine to develop an innovative video game that will help cystic fibrosis (CF) patients better manage their condition. The project is funded by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as part of its Health Games Research program.

“Breath Biofeedback Video Game for Children with Cystic Fibrosis” will explore whether video games can enhance cystic fibrosis patients’ self-administration of medicines, engagement in respiratory exercises and awareness of their respiratory status. The game uses a breath controller and game software to be developed by a research team that includes the Emergent Media Center and Peter Bingham, M.D., UVM associate professor of neurology and pediatrics. In addition to potentially helping CF patients self-manage their condition and maintain better health, the game may also be useful for children and adults with asthma and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“This collaboration plays to some of the key strengths of the UVM College of Medicine and Champlain College,” said Ann DeMarle, director of Champlain’s Emergent Media Center. “The particular combination of disciplines required to tackle this issue presents the perfect opportunity for our students to work with young patients, faculty and researchers to create media that could positively impact their lives as well as those of other Cystic Fibrosis patients.”

In the early version of the system, which was tested with a number of teenagers with CF, the patient would breathe in and out of a simple air flow meter connected to a computer, which displayed an icon on the screen. As the air flow changed, the icon would move vertically while the image of a curvy road scrolled past. The object of the game was for the patient to keep the icon on the road. Champlain’s gaming experts will work to bring the concept to a more sophisticated level.