NIHCC Treasure Tour

Category: Government

Company: NIH Clinical Center

Description: NIH Clinical Center Treasure Tour familiarizes pediatric patients with the NIH Clinical Center before participation in research studies to help diminish their anxiety level.

Skills and Ideas Taught: Familiarization with the NIH Clinical Center departments, staff, equipment, and stress reduction techniques.

Goal: Each room contains one or more objects the player may select to learn about that object, such as the anesthesia machine or an IV bag. Some objects also provide memory or word puzzles the user may play to earn tokens. The player spends these tokens in the “store” to purchase hats and special moves for their avatar. The moves allow the avatar to run, jump and spin as they move through the corridors between rooms. Some of the puzzles also teach techniques the patient may use to deal with stress, such as relaxation and using music and other forms of entertainment to engage their minds on something other than the procedure.

Primary Audience: Pediatric patients ages 6 to 18.

Assessment Approach: Learning is through standard casual quiz and puzzle games. There is basic feedback, some games require correct completion before progressing, and encouraging feedback statements are provided. Players earn virtual currency to use in game to buy additional
personalization options for avatars.

Game Engine: Unity

Operating System: Web/Android/iOS