Serious game to build transition-to-adult-care skills for adolescents with congenital heart disease.

Aim 3: Pilot Study of a Serious Game to Promote Transition Readiness Skills

Not applicable Interventional University of Utah · NCT07042334

This pilot will test whether a new video game helps teens with congenital heart disease, together with their parents and clinicians, build the skills and confidence to manage heart care as they move to adult services.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment150 (estimated)
Ages12 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Utah Academic / other
Locations1 site (Salt Lake City, Utah)
Trial IDNCT07042334 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This pilot delivers a serious video game that teaches communication with providers, understanding medical information, and managing appointments and medications to adolescents with congenital heart disease. Participants, their parents, and their clinicians will provide structured feedback on usability and acceptability. The study will measure changes in participants' confidence and preparedness for transition and observe how the game influences communication during clinic visits. Results will guide refinements and the design of larger effectiveness trials.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal participants are transition-age adolescents with congenital heart disease who can play a video game, along with a parent and their clinician willing to provide feedback.

Not a fit: Patients with significant visual or cognitive impairments that prevent gameplay or study completion, or those not preparing to transfer to adult care, may not benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the game could increase adolescents' self-management skills and confidence, supporting smoother transitions to adult cardiac care.

How similar studies have performed: Digital health tools and serious games have shown promise for health education and self-management, but using a game specifically to improve CHD transition readiness is relatively novel and supported mainly by early pilot work.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

\- Patient with congenital heart disease, their parent, and their clinician

Exclusion criteria:

-Significant visual or cognitive impairment that would impede their ability to play the game and/or complete the study.

Where this trial is running

Salt Lake City, Utah

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Serious GamesTransition-age YouthTransition to Adult CareCongenital Heart DefectCongenital Heart Disease in AdolescencePatient Centered Care
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.