FAQs - AbouT sparky

Sparky is a serious game, focused on learning children to do spirometry, and to actually perform a pulmonary function test. The test results can be used by parents to take action according to the asthma action plan, or to send the test results to their professional medical support when needed.

For more information, see the website page: www.lung-games.com/sparky . 

Sparky was initially developed based on request of the doctors from the University hospitals of Leuven and Rotterdam Erasmus. These doctors found it very difficult to have younger children perform pulmonary function tests. Without a valid PFT, information is missing for a thorough diagnosis. Research confirms that 46% of the 2- to 6-year-olds cannot perform a valid pulmonary function test. (add link to reference)

Sparky has been designed to enable younger children to do a pulmonary function test: Sparky replaces the verbal and visual instructions, which the children have problems in understanding, with the intuitivity of a game that is fun playing.

The reason to focus on children of the age 2 to 6 is that a large percentage of that age category cannot perform standard spirometry. It is also that in that age category that asthma and other lung related problems appear for the first time. The game focuses on the age category 2- to 12-year-olds because asthma typically continues for a number of years, and children keep liking to play games.

Sparky has been defined/designed for younger children to be a fun game, that challenges and entices the child to play and do its best. As the game in the background collects a full official pulmonary function test that can be used for medical diagnosis, it is a serious game.

For younger children, performing a pulmonary function test can be difficult, demanding, and cumbersome. Using Sparky to do a pulmonary function test, makes it more easy and fun.

Sparky has been designed to be played at home, so a pulmonary function test can be done at home. As frequent as one wants, or deems necessary. At home, means also remote, so young and possibly sick child, does not need to travel to a clinic/lab for a test. This is especially important for those persons living in rural areas, but is very convenient for everyone. Using Sparky can also improve communication, because a parent can send the result of the pulmonary function test to the clinic or doctor, whenever needed. So, the doctor has factual data, rather than only a verbal description of your child’s condition.

Sparky has been based and designed on the latest research. For more information, please visit the research page on this website: ….

Sparky has been designed in cooperation with the University hospitals of Leuven and Rotterdam. At current, a study is underway in Canada to understand the full benefits of using Sparky.

In the Sparky game, children play a number of mini games, and they learn to do spirometry and actually perform a full pulmonary function test every time they play the game. The spirometer serves as a game controller for the mini games, in which they need to blow or inhale in order to complete a task in the game.

A pulmonary function test (PFT) for children is a breathing test that measures how well a child's lungs are working. It helps doctors assess lung function, diagnose lung conditions like asthma, and monitor their progress. These tests, often called lung function tests, involve various techniques to measure airflow, lung capacity, and how quickly air moves in and out of the lungs.

Yes. During and after the game, the player does not see the result of their pulmonary function test. The parents/caregivers can see the results of the test in the database. Based on the results of the test, parents//Caregivers can take action, according to the asthma action plan, or inform medical professionals.

Yes. Only after the parent creates an account for her child, the child can play the game. The game itself does not keep score of the pulmonary function test results. These test results are stored in the Sparky Database, which only the parent/caregiver have access to.

As a medical professional (Respirologist, pediatrist, nurse), it is important to know if your patient is using Sparky. If so, you can ask the parent/caregiver to send you the latest pulmonary function test results, or you can ask them to give access to the database, so you can see all of the test results over time. It is important to know that the pulmonary test has been performed with an officially approved spirometer.

If you prescribe additional medication or therapy, you can ask the parent or caregiver to perform one or more pulmonary function tests (playing the game), to verify the effects of your prescription.

As an emergency department doctor, you may want your patient to follow up at home by doing PFTs by playing Sparky, and give parents instructions on how to act based on the test results.

Yes. Sparky is intended to be played at home, or anywhere you take your tablet/phone. The results of the pulmonary function test are logged into a dedicated online database, that can be accessed from anywhere. Doctors and other medical professionals can access the database from anywhere and review the latest test results, as well as the test results over time. This saves you the time and hassle to go to a lab location to do spirometry.

Yes. You can send the latest test result to your doctor, or provide your doctor access to the database, so the doctor can see all the tests that have been performed, over time.

Possibly. When your asthma action plan states what to do with certain levels of the pulmonary test, you can link the two together. So, your child performs the pulmonary function test by playing Sparky, and then you as parent/caregiver review the test result in the database, and relate them to the asthma action plan. In case of doubt always contact your medical support.