Development and Assessment of a Self-Management Application for Adults with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Based on Gamification Techniques

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are common chronic digestive disorders that require long-term management and treatment. Effective control of these diseases depends on patients' adherence to treatment protocols and acceptance of disease management methods. Gamification, which involves using game design elements in non-game contexts, has significant potential to increase patient engagement and improve their adherence to managing chronic diseases. This study aims to develop and evaluate a self-management application for adults with inflammatory bowel diseases, based on gamification techniques. Materials and Methods: This study was of an applied-developmental nature. The application development process followed the standard model stages: (۱) analyzing and identifying user needs, (۲) designing the application's user interface and gamification elements, (۳) developing a prototype application on the Android platform using behavior change strategies, (۴) implementation, and (۵) evaluating usability and user satisfaction through the System Usability Scale (SUS). Result: The average SUS score indicated a "good" level of satisfaction according to standard SUS ratings. Qualitative feedback also indicated the application's positive impact on increasing users' self-efficacy and engagement through its interactive features. Participants reported improved confidence in managing symptoms and adherence to treatment plans. Gamification elements, especially goal tracking and personalized rewards, were identified as key factors in maintaining user engagement. Conclusion: The self-management application leveraging gamification techniques effectively promotes self-care and empowers patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. The combination of structured educational design and a powerful game framework makes this application a valuable tool for managing chronic diseases. Further studies are recommended to evaluate the long-term impacts and potential scalability of this application.

کلیدواژه ها:

Inflammatory bowel disease ، self-care ، gamification ، mobile health