Emo-Link: A Mobile-Accessible Metaverse-Based Peer Support Platform for Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults With Cancer and Their Families: Development and Evaluation Study (Preprint)

Le résumé fourni par la source

BACKGROUND Children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer and their families may experience social isolation and psychosocial burden, while opportunities for in-person peer support can be limited by geographic distance, health status, infection concerns, and other practical barriers. Digital platforms may help overcome these barriers, but conventional videoconferencing and social networking services do not necessarily provide a sustained sense of shared space or flexible interaction. Metaverse environments enable avatar-based interaction within shared virtual spaces and may offer a new setting for peer connection; however, little is known about how such platforms should be designed for childhood and adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer populations. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to develop and evaluate Emo-Link, a patient and public involvement (PPI)-informed, mobile-accessible metaverse-based peer-support platform for children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer and their families. METHODS We conducted a staged platform development and evaluation study. In the trial stage, health care professionals evaluated an existing metaverse environment to identify usability and communication issues. These findings, together with patient and public involvement, informed the design and development of Emo-Link, a smartphone- and tablet-accessible platform. In the release stage, childhood cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals evaluated Emo-Link. User experience was assessed using 5-point Likert scales for operability, communication, satisfaction, and positivity toward metaverse-based support. Free-text responses were descriptively categorized to identify user experiences and design considerations. Trial- and release-stage ratings were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. RESULTS In the trial stage, 12 health care professionals evaluated an existing metaverse environment, and 10 completed the questionnaire. Among 10 analyzed participants in the trial stage, mean (SD) scores were 2.70 (1.02) for operability, 2.80 (1.04) for communication, 3.70 (0.93) for satisfaction, and 4.50 (0.50) for positivity. Feedback identified spatial complexity, navigation difficulties, and communication barriers as major design concerns. These findings informed development of Emo-Link with a simplified spatial structure, mobile-oriented accessibility, and communication-support features. In the release stage, all 11 participants completed the questionnaire. Operability (mean 3.82, SD 1.02 vs 2.70, SD 1.02; P=.03) and communication ratings (mean 4.09, SD 1.04 vs 2.80, SD 1.04; P=.02) were higher than in the trial stage, whereas satisfaction and positivity remained high in both stages. Free-text responses emphasized immersion, enjoyment, and a sense of togetherness while also identifying additional accessibility and communication needs. CONCLUSIONS Emo-Link demonstrates how user and stakeholder feedback can be translated into specific design features for a mobile-accessible metaverse-based peer-support platform for childhood and AYA cancer populations. The staged evaluation identified spatial simplicity, navigation support, communication accessibility, and opportunities for both synchronous and asynchronous interaction as important design considerations. Further longitudinal and multisite studies are needed to evaluate sustained engagement, social connection, and psychosocial outcomes.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.