Levels, rewards, badges, and points—these are some of the core features of gamification software. Gamification has become a booming industry, with countless apps and games employing these elements to keep users engaged and returning.
In 2020, the global gamification market was valued at $9.1 billion, and by 2025, it is projected to reach $30.7 billion—an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.4%. Among its many applications, gamification is finding a meaningful role in healthcare, particularly for diabetes management. When diabetes care is gamified, it can significantly enhance self-care strategies and improve health outcomes.
Gamification refers to the use of game-like features—such as challenges, leaderboards, and interactive feedback—in non-gaming settings. It typically involves setting goals, tracking progress, earning rewards for achievements, and receiving regular feedback.
Experts believe that gamification in diabetes has strong potential to improve self-management and health outcomes. It can encourage individuals to engage in their care actively, transforming routine tasks into more dynamic and engaging experiences.
Gamification Helps Visualize Progress
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) have significantly changed how people monitor their blood sugar levels. Users often report paying more attention to their glucose levels, diet, and exercise after starting with CGMs. Over time, many develop more structured habits that contribute to better blood sugar control.
While understanding diabetes management can become second nature, visual tools—such as diagrams, infographics, and illustrations—can greatly enhance comprehension. According to studies published in JMIR Diabetes, the use of data visualization tools has helped patients make more informed decisions about their health routines, leading to improved outcomes.
Gamification takes this a step further. Instead of relying solely on charts and graphs, it adds visual elements like animations, progress bars, levels, and achievements. These features can make data easier to interpret and more engaging to interact with.
Apps like Fooducate exemplify this approach. Fooducate is a food and nutrition tracking app that includes features for monitoring macros, calories, and physical activity. It also offers recipes and diet tips suitable for individuals with diabetes. Gamified elements, such as daily challenges, nutritional quizzes, and competitive features with friends and family, keep users engaged and motivated.
Gamification Makes Diabetes Easier for Kids
Diabetes is often hereditary, and children can find it particularly challenging to manage. Many experience frustration with frequent finger pricks or insulin injections, and it's not unusual for a child to miss activities like gym class to manage their glucose levels.
With its ability to simplify complex information and maintain attention, gaming provides a highly effective method of learning for children. Gamification blends play with education, helping kids develop problem-solving skills and a better understanding of their condition.
One example is GlucoZor World, a gamified app designed for children to learn diabetes care by tending to a diabetic dinosaur. Kids must feed the dinosaur properly, choose correct treatments, and complete various care tasks.
This app incorporates points, levels, and progress bars to keep children engaged. According to a study published in the Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, GlucoZor World successfully delivered basic diabetes education in an accessible format. It also includes helpful notifications and reminders that prompt users to monitor their glucose levels and follow their care routines.
Additional research from the MDPI journal supports these findings, indicating that such gamified apps indirectly promote self-care and help users integrate healthier practices into daily life.
Gamification Increases Engagement and Motivation
Many factors can disrupt diabetes management, including stress, work pressures, family responsibilities, and financial concerns, to name a few. During such times, individuals often place their health on the back burner.
Gamified apps, however, offer a compelling solution. According to the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, gamification can enhance user engagement in diabetes self-care by incorporating elements like storytelling, visuals, and interactivity.
Receiving validation and rewards for completing tasks activates positive emotions and reinforces participation. Game elements such as competition, achievement tracking, and leveling up can foster a sense of accomplishment and motivate continued engagement.
By tapping into basic psychological needs and transforming the management process into a more rewarding experience, gamification helps users feel more in control and invested in their health journey.
Conclusion
Gamification has the potential to transform diabetes self-care by making it more interactive, enjoyable, and sustainable. With features like rewards, challenges, and progress tracking, gamified approaches offer individuals a relatable and motivating path to better health.
Just like in a game, users can find satisfaction in reaching milestones, making informed choices, and developing healthier habits. Through gamification, self-management becomes more than a responsibility—it becomes an engaging and empowering experience.
