According to a study presented on April 30 at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) annual meeting in Denver proved that video games controlled by the player's breath can encourage youths with cystic fibrosis to use techniques that can help keep their airways clearer.

Cystic fibrosis, one of the most common chronic lung diseases in children and young adults, causes mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive tract. To clear mucus from the airways, patients must do breathing exhalation maneuvers called "huffing" several times a day. Many children, however, refuse, preferring to play video games instead. And, these are kids who are often lonely and frustrated with their medical treatments, and who turn to video games for fun.

The researchers decided to capitalize on their patients' penchant for video games by designing software that encourages them to use the breathing techniques. Instead of using a handheld controller, the game is controlled by a digital spirometer, a device that measures how fast and how much air the player breathes out.