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.