SCI-Hard

Name: SCI-Hard
Author: University of Michigan

University of Michigan

EVALUATED

Assessed for usability and quality

For:General Public & EnthusiastsPatients & Caregivers

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App Summary

SCI-Hard is a serious game for adolescents and young adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) that uses an adventure-based story to promote self-management skills related to health and mobility. An initial evaluation (N=14) of individuals with SCI found that participants generally had a positive experience with the game and felt it could be beneficial for those with a new injury. The authors conclude that thoughtfully designed games offer a potential avenue for engaging young adults with SCI in a safe environment where they can learn the connection between their actions and health outcomes.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

SCI-Hard is a serious game designed to promote self-management skills for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The system immerses the player in a narrative-driven environment as a character with an SCI. Gameplay, which requires approximately five hours to complete, is structured across four levels containing over 30 scenarios and mini-games. These modules require the player to navigate challenges related to mobility, health management, and daily activities. The interface was specifically designed to accommodate gameplay for individuals with high-level tetraplegia.

Evidence & Research Context

The app's co-design process, detailed in a development paper, integrated input from individuals with spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) and healthcare providers.
A preliminary evaluation (N=14) conducted with the target user population indicated a generally positive experience with the game.
Participants in the evaluation suggested the app could be a beneficial educational resource for individuals with newly acquired SCI as well as for a general audience.

Intended Use & Scope

This app is intended for adolescents and young adults with SCI/D as an educational tool to introduce self-management concepts. Its primary utility is to provide a safe, simulated environment for learning and experimenting with problem-solving related to living with an SCI. It does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical rehabilitation or personalized self-management training from healthcare professionals.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Usability Study

Development of a serious gaming app for individuals with spinal cord injury

Meade et al. (2018) · Journal on Technology and Persons with Disabilities

Users had a positive experience and felt the game could benefit people with new spinal cord injury.

In this paper we describe the development of SCI Hard, a serious game designed to promote self-management skills among adolescents and young adults with spinal cord injury and dysfunction (SCI/D). With assistance and input from individuals with SCI/D and healthcare providers, SCI Hard was designed as a mobile gaming app that allowed for game play by individuals with high levels of tetraplegia. It takes approximately five hours to complete and consists of four levels that require the player's character to figure out how to get around with SCI, manage their health, and engage in activities so they can save the world. Evaluation of the game by fourteen individuals with SCI/D found that while reactions varied regarding the music and plot, in general, participants had a positive experience with the game and felt that playing it could benefit those with new SCI as well as a general audience. In conclusion, electronic games — if thoughtfully designed with input from the target population — appear to offer a potential avenue for engaging adolescents and young adults with SCI/D in the self-management process. The medium is familiar and allows a safe place to learn rules, test boundaries, and experiment with the connection between outcomes and actions/inactions