METHOD FOR IMPROVING SELF-MANAGEMENT OF A DISEASE

• US 20080311968A1
• Filed: 06/13/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Glymetrix Corporation
• Original Assignee: Glymetrix Corporation
• Inventors: Hunter, Thomas C.
• Application Number:
  US11/762,506
• Publication Number:
  US 20080311968A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

The invention includes an interactive method of therapy for disease management, and for improving self-management of diabetes and other medical conditions. The invention improves quality of life for users with a medical condition, and decreases the over all cost of health care for insurers. Operation of the invention promotes therapeutic behavioral change and substantial increase in adherence to disease self-management programs. In one embodiment, the invention uses a video game to improve self-management of a disease. Games used with the invention provide one or more reinforcements to players who wish to change their behaviors in a way that improves their chronic disease condition. Reinforcements consist of token rewards, prizes, increasing scores, group approval or disapproval, and increased social status. A video game accesses medical data of a player. The video game prompts players to perform one or more out-of-game self-management activities associated with the medical condition. The invention then adjusts the video game based on medical data associated with one or more out-of-game self-management activities. In-game and out-of-game rewards, including social rewards, provide incentives to continue with a self-management program.

Claims

1. A method for improving self-management of a medical condition, the method comprising:

providing a video game electronically accessible to a participant and designed for use by a participant having a medical condition, wherein said video game has predefined game rules and game objective;

accessing medical data of the participant, said medical data including participant-submitted data relating to self-management of the medical condition;

prompting the participant to perform an out-of-game self-management activity associated with the medical condition;

providing an interface for receiving medical data associated with the out-of-game self-management activity; and

adjusting the video game based on medical data associated with the out-of-game self-management activity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein medical data indicating negative progress with self-management of the medical condition, negatively affects the video game.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying educational material in the video game about the medical condition.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting participant game data to medical professionals associated with supporting a participant having a medical condition.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting an out-of-game reward based on game play of a participant.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical condition is diabetes.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical condition is diabetes, and further comprising receiving blood glucose data automatically through a blood glucose device.

8. A method for improving self-management of a disease, the method comprising:

providing a video game electronically accessible to multiple participants and designed for use by participants having a medical condition, wherein said video game has predefined rules and objective, and wherein the video game is networked thereby providing simultaneous play to the multiple participants;

identifying active participants of the video game;

providing a chat interface for the multiple participants to communicate with each other during live play;

accessing medical data of the multiple participants, said medical data including participant-submitted data relating to self-management of the medical condition;

prompting participants to perform an out-of-game self-management activity associated with the medical condition;

providing an interface for receiving medical data from the out-of-game self-management activities of the multiple participants; and

adjusting the video game based on medical data associated with the out-of-game self-management activity.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein adjusting the video game includes modifying participant scores, wherein modifying scores affects multiple players.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising selecting an out-of-game reward based on game play of a participant.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein medical data indicating negative progress with self-management of the medical condition, negatively affects the video game.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the video game includes team play and wherein medical data of a participant team member affects the video game for all participant team members.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the medical condition is diabetes.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the medical condition is diabetes, and further comprising receiving blood glucose data automatically through a blood glucose device.

15. A computer-readable recording medium on which is recorded a video game program for improving self-management of a medical condition, the video game program causing a computer to:

provide a video game to a participant, wherein the video game is designed for use by a participant having a medical condition, wherein said video game has predefined game rules and game objective;

access medical data of the participant, said medical data including participant-submitted data relating to self-management of the medical condition;

prompt the participant to perform an out-of-game self-management activity associated with the medical condition;

provide an interface for receiving medical data associated with the out-of-game self-management activity; and

adjust the video game based on medical data associated with the out-of-game self-management activity.

16. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 15, further comprising the video game program causing a computer to, provide the video game to multiple participants for simultaneous game play.

17. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 15, further comprising the video game program causing a computer to, adjust the video game based on medical data received from a third-party and associated with supporting a participant having a medical condition.

18. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 15, wherein the video game requests medical data from a participant on a daily basis.

19. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 15, wherein the video game provides educational material.

20. The computer-readable recording medium of claim 15, wherein the medical condition is diabetes.