JMIR Serious Games

Hospitalized older adults often spend prolonged periods of time bedridden leading to decreased muscle strength and function. To tackle this, rehabilitation aims to keep patients active and train affected muscles. Exergames have proven to be effective in rehabilitation of different patient populations and offer a motivating solution to combat inactivity associated with hospitalization. Furthermore, blood flow restriction (BFR) is effective in therapy of weakened patients so combining BFR and exergames might be promising.

Age-related physiological changes in older adults involve a rapid decline in motor exercise ability; some older adults may also experience difficulties in maintaining focus, memory loss, and a decline in reaction time, which consequently impair their ability to perform dual tasks. Motor-cognitive training (MCT) refers to a blend of motor activity and cognitive training that occurs simultaneously and can assist older adults in enhancing their physical function, cognitive abilities, and dual-task performance. In recent years, the use of technology for delivering MCT has become increasingly popular in research. This has been achieved through various technologies that simplify MCT for older adults.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requires consistent sustained management, including regular physical activity, pulmonary rehabilitation, and self-care adherence. Despite strong clinical guidelines, patient engagement remains a major challenge, leading to suboptimal disease control and increased health care use. Gamified interventions have emerged as potential tools to improve adherence, motivation, and outcomes in chronic disease management. However, their effectiveness and implementation in COPD remain underexplored.

A growing body of research has examined the connection between video game play and relief from anxiety and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic years. However, evidence has been limited in dissecting the role of video games in moderating personal health outcomes such as anxiety and depression. This research aimed to provide insights into this area by investigating Chinese college students living under difficult conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic shelter-in-place lockdowns.

While motion-sensing game (MSG) platforms provide immersive, real-time feedback environments for rehabilitation, research findings on their effectiveness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pulmonary rehabilitation remain heterogeneous.

Haptic feedback technology is widely used, including in serious games. It is an additional sensory method that supplements audio and vision, provides a novel user experience through a physical control layer, and enhances the immersion of virtual reality, thereby improving the user's cognitive state while alleviating dependence on visual information. However, there is limited research on haptic feedback preferences for mobile serious card games designed for older adults.

Given the appeal of active video games (AVG), many tools are now being used for combined training in older adults. However, there is a lack of comparative data to determine which type of AVG is better suited to older adults.

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used as a distraction tool for painful procedures in children. Studies have shown variable benefit but have not identified factors to maximize utility.

Exergame-based training enhances physical and cognitive performance in older adults, including those with mild neurocognitive disorder (mNCD). In-game metrics generated from user interactions with exergames enable individualized adjustments. However, there is a need to systematically investigate how well such game metrics capture true cognitive and motor-cognitive performance to provide a more robust basis for personalized training.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental condition characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, significantly impacting the psychological, social, and academic well-being of affected children and adolescents. Traditional ADHD diagnostic methods often rely on subjective reports, which can be biased. Recent advancements in serious games offer potential for objective assessment tools.

Attentional bias modification can help address implicit attention from individuals who smoke toward smoking cues, which trigger cravings and lapses that impede smoking cessation. We developed an attentional bias modification mobile game, Fruit Squish, to support individuals who smoke in quitting as part of a multi-component smoking cessation mobile application, Quit Journey. Users advance in the game by tapping on neutral (i.e., fruit) rather than smoking-related (e.g., cigarette pack) imagery that they are presented with, essentially training them to avoid focusing on smoking cues.

Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for cognitive rehabilitation in neuropsychiatric patients. These patients often suffer from significant cognitive impairments, which are associated with decreased quality of life and increased disease burden. Traditional treatments have limited in improving cognitive functions, making VR-based interventions an area of growing interest.