Game Mechanisms in Serious Games That Teach Children with Type-1 Diabetes How to Self-Manage: A Systematic Scoping Review

INTRODUCTION: The use of serious games is a popular approach to help children with Type-1 diabetes (T1D) learn how to self-manage. Many different game mechanisms exist. However, it is unclear which game mechanisms a serious game should include to teach self-management to children with T1D. Therefore, the aim of this scoping review is to map and describe the game mechanisms used in serious games that teach children with T1D how to self-manage and explain how they contribute to teaching self-management.

METHODS: A systematic scoping review was conducted to map and describe the important game mechanisms published before 23 September 2020. A comprehensive search was performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Education Database. Relevant literature was selected, synthesized, and reported.

RESULTS: Of the 800 articles identified, 18 were included in this systematic scoping review. The game mechanisms used in serious games that teach self-management included narrative contexts, feedback, avatars, simulations, goals, levels, and social interactions.

DISCUSSION: This review identified 7 game mechanisms used in serious games that teach children how to self-manage. A serious game is most effective in teaching self-management when it is T1D-oriented and when multiple game mechanisms are combined. However, the most effective combination of game mechanisms has yet to be determined.