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Towards a Blockchain Hybrid Platform for Gamification of Healthy Habits: Implementation and Usability Validation

Authors :
Juan Lopez-Barreiro
Luis Alvarez-Sabucedo
Jose Luis Garcia-Soidan
Juan M. Santos-Gago
Source :
Applied System Innovation, Vol 7, Iss 4, p 60 (2024)
Publication Year :
2024
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2024.

Abstract

(1) Background: In developed countries, public health faces a number of problems, including sedentary lifestyles and poor diets, which collectively contribute to the occurrence of preventable diseases. Noncommunicable diseases represent the leading cause of global mortality. Despite the promotion of healthy living, compliance remains a significant challenge. The integration of gamification into health apps has been demonstrated to facilitate behavioral change. Blockchain technology enhances the effectiveness of gamification by providing data trustability and support for auditable incentives. This feature is possible and easy due to the inherent characteristics of blockchain automating processes through Smart Contracts, rewarding participants and creating leaderboards in a transparent and reliable manner. The use of smart contracts and events enhances the traceability and reliability of decentralized applications, including healthcare. Interoperability in blockchain tools facilitates the deployment of complex environments. The aim of this research is the deployment of a tool for the implementation and testing of a gamification platform based on blockchain technology. (2) Methods: Pre-experimental research was carried out to assess the usability of the decentralized application developed. (3) Results: A decentralized application was developed with the objective of gamifying healthy habits. The application was evaluated using the System Usability Scale, obtaining a score of 80.49, and the Cronbach’s Alpha score, which was found to be 0.75. (4) Conclusions: A prototype of a decentralized application connected with a blockchain network to reward challenge fulfilment was deployed. Despite being in early development, it demonstrated high usability. Employing blockchain technology guarantees transparency and traceability while remaining in compliance with legal requirements like the General Data Protection Regulation.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
25715577
Volume :
7
Issue :
4
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Applied System Innovation
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.5e208e66cd6144fb8c978f8832be9c8e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/asi7040060