Impact of Exergames on the Mental Health of Older Adults: A Systematic Review and GRADE Evidence Synthesis

Abstract

Exergames, which combine digital games and physical exercise, have become a popular alternative to traditional exercise programs and are increasingly used in the health domains. This study aimed to provide a systematic review to synthesize existing studies on the use of exergames for the mental wellbeing of healthy older adults, aggregating the collected data to identify effect size. We performed a Systematic Review and Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Assessment (GRADE) evidence synthesis. We performed the search in the following databases: MEDLINE Ò , CINAHL Ò , SPORTDiscus, SCOPUS, SciELO, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Cochrane Ò Central Register of Controlled Trials from the first record until October 2021. Randomized controlled trials using exergames as an intervention were included. A total of 10 articles published between 2009 and 2021 were selected. Most studies used the Nintendo Wii Ò as the exergame in the intervention program. Interventions ranged from 6 to 12 weeks, with 8-week programs being most frequent. It was possible to observe a positive effect on mood, the reduction of apathy, anxiety and depression, self-esteem, and affection.

The Effect of Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Exergames versus Traditional Physiotherapy in Parkinson’s Disease Older Patients: Preliminary Results from a Randomized-Controlled Trial

“…Effective technological-base rehabilitation that is easily adapted for patients with PD could be used as a supplement or alternative to conventional therapy. Moreover, this type of training has the advantage of involving patients to increase adherence to therapy in the long term [ 44 , 45 ], assuring a higher engagement of the PD patient in the rehabilitation path [ 46 , 47 ].…”

Exergaming and education: a relational model for games selection and evaluation

“…These effects were noted both in children and in older adults. A meta-analysis indicated that exergaming improved several functions in older adults, such as cognition, motor function, and balance ( Fernandes et al, 2022 ). Another group of adult trainees who engaged in 24 sessions of 1-h exergame training had significantly greater improvements in their measures of physical function and their cognitive measures of executive control and processing speed than control participants did ( Maillot et al, 2012 ).…”

Aspectos do transtorno de jogos pela internet no Brasil

“…Apesar do uso problemático, jogos on-line com recurso de realidade aumentada apresentaram, por meio da socialização virtual e rotina com exercícios, promoção de saúde física e mental de populações em isolamento durante a pandemia (ELLIS L, et al, 2020). Para além desse contexto, uma revisão sistemática, que avaliou o impacto dos exergames (jogos com exercícios) em idosos, observou efeitos positivos no controle do humor, redução da apatia, redução de ansiedade e depressão, além de aumento na autoestima e no afeto (FERNANDES CS, et al, 2022).…”