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Living and learning in digital contexts have become ubiquitous and pervasive, and it has had impacts on many aspects of the lives of adolescents and young citizens all over the world (Miller et al. 2016). Especially young students and apprentices depend on teaching and learning infrastructures in state-organized—mostly non-digital—settings, but increasingly, they spend their leisure time on activities with and within digital environments like social media, computers, and online gaming. This kind of contradiction has been addressed in two of our research projects, in which we attempted to uncover distinct digital practices, expectations, and desires of youths in Vienna in both immigrant and non-immigrant milieus. Our focus was social learning within games, creating games using project-based learning, and addressing the Internet as a playground for adolescents’ social and private activities. Society has changed in Vienna over recent decades as immigrants and refugees have moved in, and as a result, challenges of and questions about social participation, acculturation, and integration have emerged. The traditional school system, youth centres, and social workers must manage multiple expectations and demands in this regard. Our projects were undertaken to address and to intervene in these integration processes under the premise of technology assessment, i.e., to adjust imbalances in both societal and school-learning processes.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Kontrolle einer myoelektrischen Prothese erfordert ein umfangreiches rehabilitatives Training, welches auf repetitiven Übungen basiert, angeleitet unter physiotherapeutischer Aufsicht. Doch zuhause fehlt vielen Patienten die Motivation, die Übungen aus der Physiotherapie weiterzuführen. Mobile Spiele auf dem Smartphone können zu einer Langzeit-Motivation beitragen, das Heimtraining mit der notwendigen Intensität fortzuführen. Patienten und Methodik Wir entwickelten ein Trainingssystem, welches aus einer spielbasierten mobilen Rehabilitationsanwendung besteht, die mit dem Muskelsignal des Patienten gesteuert wird, außerdem einem Tablett zum Spielen der App, einem Elektrodenarmband und einem Handbuch. Bisher haben zwei Patienten an dieser Studie teilgenommen. Sie wurden gebeten die App für 4 Wochen zu Hause, 5 Mal pro Woche, für 10 bis 15 Minuten zu benutzen. Gemäß eines Prä- und Post-Test-Designs wurden die neuromuskulären Parameter der Patienten vor und nach dem mobilen Training untersucht. Evaluiert wurden u. a. die maximale Kontraktionskraft, Muskelseparation, proportionale Ansteuerung und Muskelausdauer, sowie die Nutzerstatistiken während der App-Benutzung. Resultate Nach dem Training mit der App konnte eine signifikante Verbesserung (p Conclusio Die Trainings-App „MyoBeatz“ bietet nicht nur Anleitung und Feedback zur korrekten Ausführung von myoelektrischen Kommandos, sondern erhält auch die Motivation des Patienten durch verschiedene Spielmodi und Feedbackelemente. Durch eine Übersicht des Trainingsfortschritts in Form von Nutzer-Statistiken und Highscores kann der Rehabilitationsprozess überwacht und verglichen werden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass Patienten mit Amputation der oberen Extremität nach der Nutzung der spielbasierten App ihre neuromuskuläre Kontrolle, Kraft und Koordination signifikant verbessern konnten, so dass sie das Potential einer myoelektrischen Prothese voll ausschöpfen können.

We discuss a setup for technology-mediated audience participation (TMAP)in live music using smartphones and high-frequency sound IDs in a playful setting. The audience needs to install a smartphone app. Using high-frequency sound IDs music samples and colors can be triggered on the audience’s smartphones without the need to have an internet connection. The resulting soundscape is determined by the samples and parameters selected by the artist as well as by the location audience members choose in the performance space. We present the technical basis and iterative explorative design process of such a system for TMAP. The learnings from the perspective of musicians were technical requirements such as low latency, reliability, as well as increasing the number of possible sound samples and sound quality and we further present learnings on creating systems for TMAP from technical and creative perspectives.

Inclusive education deals with the participation of vulnerable and marginalised - especially disabled - people in learning and with reducing exclusive aspects within and from education. Communication skills under an inclusive perspective are to be understood as more than spoken or written word. Levels of languages used and alternative modes of communication are to be explored and harnessed. However, game complexity and technical constraints hamper the seamless integration in real world environments, especially when addressing groups aside from the mainstream. Building on four design challenges, we aim to develop an independently usable, user-friendly and user-oriented, technically low-threshold game called Cologon that fosters communication skills and takes into account the players diverse (dis)abilities, needs, and preferences - in simple terms: an inclusive game. In this paper we present our iterative participatory design process and the conceptual prototype. The results of an evaluation of this prototype in a participatory game design workshop point to unique insights: participants prioritised visual and audible cues above any use of language and one-device-per-player combined with the choice of roles was a challenge for all participants and created a creative communication experience.

The control of a myoelectric prosthesis requires extensive rehabilitative training based on repetitive exercises. But at home, many patients lack the motivation to continue the physiotherapy exercises. Mobile games on a smartphone can contribute to a long-term motivation to continue home training with the necessary intensity. The patients control the game with their muscle signals, exactly how they would control their actual prosthesis. In this study, we examined the usability of the gaming system, its functionality and subjective quality. It was rated highly in all aspects by both experimental groups, with the patient group consistently rating higher than the able-bodied group. Although highly rated, results showed detailed potential for improvement regarding the aesthetics of the app and provided information in-app. The mobile training app not only provides feedback on the correct execution of muscle activation, but also maintains the patient’s motivation through various feedback elements. In a clinical pilot study, three upper limb amputees trained their neuromuscular control over the course of four weeks while playing the game and clinical parameters important for prosthetic control have been evaluated pre and post intervention. Significant improvements could be seen in all assessed parameters which supports the thesis that a game-based mobile app can be used to train EMG motor signals for prosthetic control.

While studies point to the positive potential of games for health to increase patient engagement and to a need to consider longer-term perspectives, there is a lack of more tangible knowledge on how to design for long-term engagement in games for health. This paper makes a contribution in this space by drawing a reflective arc across three games for health projects from areas such as rehabilitation, prevention and chronic disease. We discuss the projects using a research through design lens and reflect on user research data and design artifacts from the perspective of the involved game designers. The results are design considerations towards long-term engagement in games for health. These considerations present a body of intermediate-level knowledge [19] oriented towards maximising the potential of the design space in early stages of games for health projects. The considerations are structured into those relevant to gameplay, research design and application context.

Background Prosthetic motor rehabilitation usually relies on the highly repetitive training of movements. Patients might drop out of training because the rehabilitation process is long and often discouraging. Game-based interventions provide a potentially useful alternative to standard myoelectric (electromyographic [EMG]) training and can increase engagement with training. Objective To assess the short-term impact of a game-based rehabilitation protocol on parameters for EMG control, evaluate how game-based interventions affect patient motivation, performance, and effort, and compare the game-based intervention with a standard tool in rehabilitation (MyoBoy). Design This randomized controlled trial included 2 patient groups and 1 control group. After establishing a baseline, the 2 patient groups received different interventions that were compared with each other and with the able-bodied control group. Setting University hospital-based study. Participants Fourteen patients with traumatic transradial or transhumeral upper extremity amputation and 10 able-bodied participants. Methods For the game-based intervention, EMG proficiency was assessed before and after playing the games and 2 days later as follow-up to measure retention rate. EMG proficiency was measured using maximum voluntary contraction, proportional precision control, signal separation, and muscle endurance. Questionnaires for rating the game-based intervention and intrinsic motivation were provided after the intervention. Outcomes Outcome measures for EMG proficiency were provisional maximum voluntary muscle contraction, precise proportional control, electrode separation, and muscle endurance. Quantitative outcome measures for participant experience were intrinsic motivation, enjoyment, pressure, exerted effort, and usefulness of the intervention. The qualitative outcome measure was the surveyed attitude toward the game-based intervention. Results Results showed an overall improvement in EMG control, fine muscle activation, and electrode separation. Patients stated that racing games provided slightly more fun, but rhythm-based games were considered to provide better challenges for EMG control. Conclusion Game-based interventions provide a useful addition to standard EMG training and can achieve better results in clinical outcome measures. The racing and music game genres provide solid starting points for interventions. Further studies can look at a wider range of genres and identify more specific game mechanics suitable for training. Level of Evidence I

Rehabilitation concepts for upper limb amputees traditionally rely on the execution of repetitive movements. Video game-based therapies are a stimulating way to increase patient motivation, effort and performance during those otherwise monotonous neuromuscular exercises. Myoelectric signals needed to control an upper limb prosthesis are intuitively trained and the patient benefits from increased prosthesis usability. In this study, a clinically feasible and entertaining virtual rehabilitation intervention has been developed and evaluated for short-term improvement of EMG control and engaging gameplay elements. Seven upper limb amputees completed the three assessment sessions and the video game intervention. Results show an improvement in overall EMG control, fine muscle activation and electrode separation. Patients report that racing games seem to be slightly superior regarding the fun factor, but rhythm games provide a more challenging EMG control option.

Difficulty in TETRIS is adjusted by adapting the speed with which blocks fall. In this contribution, we describe results of an exploratory study in which we investigated relationships between players' performance and their subjective assessment of difficulty and fun. We tested five different algorithms that, instead of adjusting game speed, adjust difficulty by choosing blocks based on the current game state. With our results, we establish pile height and bumpiness as parameters that indicate the performance of a player during a live game, discuss the inherent difficulty of different block choosing algorithms and show how the relationship between fun and perceived difficulty varies for distinct player groups. With regard to adapting difficulty, we argue that one can still teach an old dog such a TETRIS a lot of new tricks.

Background: A high number of upper extremity myoelectric prosthesis users abandon their devices due to difficulties in prosthesis control and lack of motivation to train in absence of a physiotherapist. Virtual training systems, in the form of video games, provide patients with an entertaining and intuitive method for improved muscle coordination and improved overall control. Complementary to established rehabilitation protocols, it is highly beneficial for this virtual training process to start even before receiving the final prosthesis, and to be continued at home for as long as needed. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate (1) the short-term effects of a commercially available electromyographic (EMG) system on controllability after a simple video game-based rehabilitation protocol, and (2) different input methods, control mechanisms, and games. Methods: Eleven able-bodied participants with no prior experience in EMG control took part in this study. Participants were asked to perform a surface EMG test evaluating their provisional maximum muscle contraction, fine accuracy and isolation of electrode activation, and endurance control over at least 300 seconds. These assessments were carried out (1) in a Pregaming session before interacting with three EMG-controlled computer games, (2) in a Postgaming session after playing the games, and (3) in a Follow-Up session two days after the gaming protocol to evaluate short-term retention rate. After each game, participants were given a user evaluation survey for the assessment of the games and their input mechanisms. Participants also received a questionnaire regarding their intrinsic motivation (Intrinsic Motivation Inventory) at the end of the last game. Results: Results showed a significant improvement in fine accuracy electrode activation (P

We present the INTERACCT system, a smartphone app and a Web page for fostering communication between young patients in aftercare after a stem cell transplantation. In this phase of rehabilitation, daily communication between the patients and their clinicians is key for detecting upcoming possibly deadly crises as early as possible. The app consists of a communication part, a gaming part, a module for daily medicine, and a daily story for further motivation. We describe the system as well as an evaluation of the app with several healthy children.

In this paper we discuss a setup for technology-mediated audience participation using smartphones and high-frequency sound IDs. Drawing from the insights of a research project on audience participation in live music we describe a setup for playful music interaction composed of smartphones. In this setup the audience needs to install a smartphone app. Using high-frequency sound IDs music samples and colors can be triggered on the audience’s smartphones without the need to have an internet connection. The resulting soundscape is determined by the samples and parameters selected by the artist as well as by the location audience members choose in the performance space.

INTERACCT is a multidisciplinary research project, where a communication tool in form of a serious video game was implemented. Target group are young and adolescent patients which suffered leukaemia or similar diseases that indicate a stem cell transplantation as therapy. After the transplantation, patients are required to stay at home for 12–24 months and report their health status to their after-care medical team. To ease this reporting process, INTERACCT was conceptualized and a prototype was implemented. Through smartphones, tablets or desktop PCs the patients report their data to the medical team, which accesses this data through a newly developed web-system. The system is highly adaptable and customizable, and can be further extended using state-of-the-art technologies like Microsoft KINECT. This paper describes background information, the concept and finally the implementation of the prototype system.

This paper describes the design of the learning game Internet Hero, in which the player is transported into a fictional world representing the Internet. The game shall convey learning contents about the technical and social basics of using the Internet. We connect game design to learning principles and evaluate the game through gameplay metrics and interviews with children. We show that we were able to build an engaging game while at the same time building on a strong theoretical foundation on digital game-based learning.