Design and validation of a mobile application implementing gamification features to improve treatment adherence in patients with type 1 diabetes

The thesis focuses on the involvement of gamification and mHealth technologies in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The main objective of this thesis is to design and validate a prototype of a mobile application that implements selected gamification mechanisms and simultaneously uses continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology in order to verify the potential impact and perceived benefits of this solution in Czech patients with type 1 diabetes. The work is conceived as Design Science Research and the process of achieving the objectives is based on the Design Science Research Methodology. For the implementation part of the thesis, the Methodology for Small Software Projects (MMSP) was used, in particular the work products, requirements, architecture description and test plan included in the methodology. To validate the developed prototype, semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants who used the prototype for two weeks. Analysis of the interviews with participants that used the developed prototype indicates the possible potential of gamification intervention in the treatment of type 1 diabetes in patients using CGM in terms of engaging patients in active monitoring of glycaemic values, as evidenced by 5 out of 6 participants. All participants found the involvement of gamification in diabetes treatment to be positive and saw the potential of gamification particularly in motivating patients to monitor values more frequently through gamification mechanisms.