The effect of a mobile game developed for children with familial mediterranean fever on disease management and quality of life

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effects of educating children diagnosed with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) using mobile game or educational booklet on their disease knowledge, self-efficacy, symptom management, and quality of life. Method: The study employed a pre-test-post-test control group experimental design with randomized groups and included 45 children diagnosed with FMF, aged 8-14 (Control Group=15, Booklet Group=15, Mobile Game Group=15). Children in the experimental groups received education for one month using either educational booklets or mobile games, depending on their assigned group. Data were collected at three stages: pre-test, post-test 1 (end of month 1), and post-test 2 (end of month 2). Data collection instruments included the "Patient Introduction Form," "Knowledge Test," "Pediatric Rating of Chronic Illness Self-Efficacy Scale (PRCISE-Tr)," and "Juvenile Autoinflammatory Disease Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAIMAR)." Data were analyzed using SPSS 25. Results: The mobile game group demonstrated a greater increase in knowledge levels compared to the control and booklet groups. The PRCISE-Tr score average for the mobile game group increased significantly at post-test 1 and post-test 2 (p=0.000; p=0.000), while the total quality of life score average decreased (p=0.001; p=0.001). In contrast, the PRCISE-Tr score average for the booklet group increased only at post-test 1 (p=0.008), and the total quality of life score averages did not show significant changes in subsequent measurements (p>0.05). Regarding symptom management, the medication compliance score averages for the mobile game group increased (p=0.002; p=0.004), and pain score averages decreased (p=0.044; p=0.010). The number of symptoms in the game group decreased at post-test 1 and post-test 2 (p=0.000; p=0.000) and continued to decrease over time (p=0.000). The symptom management indicators for the control and booklet groups were similar across all measurements (p>0.05). Conclusion: The mobile game effectively increased knowledge, disease self-efficacy, symptom management, and quality of life in children with FMF, with its effects persisting longer than those of booklet-based education. It is recommended to use and promote technology-based and interactive education methods, such as mobile games, in the management of chronic diseases in children.