Ambiente virtual para a auxiliar a concentração de crianças com hiperatividade

Abstract

It is well known that children with hyperactivity usually can't execute some tasks due to the lack of concentration; therefore, in order to increase such children's concentration, we have developed a computerized game, with a story based on an old pirate who travels several islands and dangerous seas to find a lost treasure. To begin this adventure the child should understand the hints showed by the characters of game. The Blender graphical tool was used to model the objects of the scenes, the characters, and so provided good interactivity, through their game engine. The objects of the scenes together with the sound effects allowed a completed immersion of the player in the environment. The developed game attends the APA (American Psychiatry Association) recommendations; therefore, the levels are shorter compared to those of similar games. Furthermore, the children are rewarded for each executed task and not for each level; the kind and the rhythm of the tasks are frequently changed and some sensorial methods considered in the game may exert the children's memorization and concentration in a reduced visual field. The game was appraised by a games specialist, who considered as attractive as other similar games. It also has been submitted to a neurologist, who considered the game appropriated to improve the concentration of the children with hyperactivity. The game was tested with 10 children with hyperactivity, who demonstrated interest in playing the game several times. It was noted that the children who finished the game in the first attempt had experience with computerized games. The children who didn't finished after the first attempt, manifest interest trying again. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2007.