Games for Health Journal最新文献

The aim was to analyze the effects of virtual reality-based rehabilitation (VRBR) in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A search was conducted in CINAHL, Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science up to January 2023. Eligibility criteria were defined with Participants, Interventions, Comparisons, Outcomes, and Study design. To assess the methodological quality, the modified Downs and Black scale was used. The risk of bias was assessed through The Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software. Seventeen studies were included in the systematic review and 11 in the meta-analysis. We obtained significant differences in favor of VRBR for FMS impact (standardized mean difference or SMD: -0.49; 95% confidence interval or CI: -0.72 to -0.26), pain intensity (SMD: -0.50; 95% CI: -0.87 to -0.12), fatigue (SMD: -0.55, 95% CI: -0.89 to -0.22), depression (SMD: -0.39; 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.23), anxiety (SMD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.57 to -0.14), health-related quality of life (SMD: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.29 to 0.83), health perception (mean difference or MD:10.56; 95% CI: 6.23 to 14.88), functional exercise capacity (SMD: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.87), and physical function (MD: 10.90; 95% CI: 7.04 to 14.77). No significant differences were found for kinesiophobia. VRBR significantly improves FMS symptoms, quality of life, and physical condition. VRBR applied alone or combined with other interventions shows good results. VRBR was superior to treatment as usual. Better results were obtained when specialized VRBR was used. More research is needed to determine how to implement this treatment and to study VRBR effects on follow-up.

Background: Preclinical studies suggested the exposure to environmental enrichment (EE) as an intervention able to prevent or reduce nicotine-taking and nicotine-seeking behaviors. Virtual reality (VR) may help to test the effects of EE in smokers in a reproducible and feasible manner. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 31 smokers (14 women) were divided into two groups: (1) exposure to a virtual EE (VR-EE) and (2) exposure to a virtual neutral environment (VR-NoEE). Cigarette craving was assessed as basal and evoked, at different timepoints during the session. Behavior activity during VR exposure, mood, and subjective measures were also collected. Results: EE exposure in VR significantly reduced craving scores from basal timepoint. This was not observed in the VR-NoEE group, which significantly increased craving compared with values at neutral scenario. When both groups were exposed to smoking-related VR scenario, the VR-EE group showed an increased craving compared with previous timepoint up to score values not different from those in the VR-NoEE group. A significant positive correlation between basal craving scores and interactive behavior with virtual smoking cues was observed in the VR-NoEE but not in the VR-EE group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that virtual EE might have an inhibitory effect in smokers on basal, but not on evoked cigarette craving. Noteworthily, the interactive activity correlation to craving scores in the VR-NoEE participants was not observed in the VR-EE group, adding further evidence that the enrichment simulation was nonetheless able to modify behavior in the smoking-related scenario.

Introduction: The cognitive effects of video games have garnered increasing attention due to their potential applications in cognitive rehabilitation and evaluation. However, the underlying mechanisms driving these cognitive modifications remain poorly understood. Objectives: This study investigates the fundamental mnemonic processes of spatial navigation, pattern separation, and recognition memory, closely associated with the hippocampus. Our objective is to elucidate the interaction of these cognitive processes and shed light on rehabilitation mechanisms that could inform the design of video games aimed at stimulating the hippocampus. Method: In this study, we assessed 48 young adults, including both video game players and non-players. We utilized virtual reality and cognitive tasks such as the Lobato Virtual Water Maze and the Mnemonic Similarity Task to evaluate their cognitive abilities. Results: Our key findings highlight that gamers exhibit heightened pattern separation abilities and demonstrate quicker and more accurate spatial learning, attributed to the cognitive stimulation induced by video games. Additionally, we uncovered a significant relationship between spatial memory, guided by environmental cues, and pattern separation, which serves as the foundation for more efficient spatial navigation. Conclusions: These results provide valuable insights into the cognitive impact of video games and offer potential for monitoring changes in rehabilitation processes and early signs of cognitive decline through virtual reality-based assessments. Ultimately, we propose that examining the relationships between cognitive processes represents an effective method for evaluating neurodegenerative conditions, offering new possibilities for early diagnosis and intervention.

Objective: Several health games have been developed for pediatric patients in recent years but few for children with atopic dermatitis (AD). As this chronic disease requires changes in daily habits, this study aimed to develop and validate the content of a board health game for children with AD. Material and Methods: This is a content development and validation study of Dermatrilha^TM, a board health game about AD. The instrument aims to promote interactions between children with AD and health care providers and offers the exchange of experiences, feelings, and knowledge about the disease in a playful way. The five stages of development of the board game were (a) planning, (b) development, (c) preparation of content validation questionnaires, (d) evaluation by a committee of experts, and (e) pretest with the target audience. Results: The expert committee group consisted of 20 professionals: 5 physicians specialized in pediatric dermatology, 5 psychologists specialized in health psychology, 5 designers with experience in illustration, and 5 early childhood educators. The target audience consisted of 25 children aged 7-12 years with AD. The evaluation of the expert committee found 0.95 in the general content validity index and 0.92 in the target audience, thus exceeding 0.80 in all items. Conclusion: The board health game Dermatrilha has proven to be a psychoeducational tool for the therapeutic education of children with AD, enabling the exchange of experiences, feelings, and knowledge about the disease among peers and health care providers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to (1) quantify the oxygen consumption (VO₂) and heart rate (HR) of virtual reality (VR) exergaming in youth, (2) compare the physical activity intensity of VR gaming to moderate-intensity thresholds, and (3) quantify the game experience and cybersickness of VR gaming, compared with traditional gaming. Material and Methods: Youth (N = 28; age, 9.4 ± 1.2 years) completed 10-minute conditions: seated rest, seated videogame Katamari Forever (SVG-KF), treadmill walking (TW) (5.6 km/h, 0% grade), and VR exergames Beat Saber (BS) and Thrill of the Fight (TOF) while VO₂ and HR were collected. Game experience and Child Simulator Sickness Questionnaires were collected after gameplay. Results: VO₂ and HR for BS (9.1 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min and 119 ± 15 bpm), TW (17.1 ± 2.4 mL/kg/min and 135 ± 15 bpm), and TOF (16.9 ± 5.4 mL/kg/min and 145 ± 19 bpm) were significantly higher than that at rest (4.2 ± 1.5 mL/kg/min and 94 ± 12 bpm) and for SVG-KF (4.3 ± 1.3 mL/kg/min and 94 ± 12 bpm). BS was light-to-moderate, whereas TW and TOF were of moderate intensity based on HR and metabolic equivalents (METs). For game experience, SVG-KF (1.6 ± 1.6) was less challenging than BS (3.3 ± 1.0) and TOF (3.1 ± 1.1). BS was more visually satisfying (3.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.9) and required more concentration than SVG-KF (3.6 ± 0.7 vs 3.1 ± 1.1). TOF (3.4 ± 0.8) was more fun than SVG-KF (2.8 ± 0.7). Two youths (7%) experienced cybersickness symptoms, but neither requested to stop play. Oculomotor symptoms (0.6 ± 0.9), although minimal, were significantly greater than nausea (0.2 ± 0.5) and disorientation (0.3 ± 0.6) in both games. Conclusions: VR exergames provided light- to moderate-intensity exercise, challenge, visual stimulation, attention, and fun with minimal cybersickness symptoms, compared with conventional gameplay in youth.

Motor rehabilitation in patients with facial disorders, such as facial paralysis (FP), has faced challenges in maintaining the patients' engagement and motivation in the intensive and repetitive execution of the exercises. To assist in the facial rehabilitation process, gamified tools (GTs) have been proposed to promote stimulation and engagement in affected patients. This study provides a comprehensive review on the use of GTs to aid facial rehabilitation, with the aim of investigating the potential of such computer-based tools to motivate facial mime exercises. A systematic search conducted on May 22, 2024, across five databases (Scopus, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and MEDLINE/PubMed) returned 1043 articles. The selection of studies resulted in 15 articles included for analysis, most of which were intended for patients recovering from FP. Bell's palsy, paralysis resulting from stroke, orofacial apraxia, and cerebral palsy were the patient disorders addressed in the articles. Facial mimic movements used for rehabilitation varied, the main actions considered in the studies were opening and closing the eyes, smiling, and raising the eyebrows. Studies focused on developing tools and conducting experiments with participants. Despite advances made by the selected studies, proposed computer-based tools for facial rehabilitation have not yet reached the necessary maturity for their use in clinical settings. Consequently, additional efforts are needed to perform new studies to mitigate the challenges presented in this research area. Therefore, this is a constantly evolving area of research and offers a huge window of opportunity for further research.

This study tested how increased modality interactivity (e.g., playing vs. watching a game) can augment empathy and reduce ageism toward older adults among college-aged students. An experiment (n = 201) examined the effects of playing a video game that featured an older adult protagonist. Relative to those who spectated the game, participants who played the game had increased state empathy on subfactors, including shared affect, empathic motivation, and helping motivation. Moreover, shared affect mediated the link between playing a game featuring an older adult protagonist and ageism. Participants with higher trait empathy showed lower state empathy after playing, whereas participants with lower trait empathy displayed increased post-game state empathy. Overall, the results supported the modality interactivity model suggesting fruitful avenues for future research.

Objective: Hearing impaired (HI) children face challenges in establishing and maintaining relationships with their hearing (H) peers, leading to potential damages on their psychological well-being. The objective of this study is to introduce and validate design strategies and interaction strategies aimed at promoting social interaction between HI children and their H peers. Materials and Methods: With a specific focus on addressing the unique needs of HI children, the design strategies and interaction strategies were derived from the previous studies. To assess the effectiveness, these strategies were implemented in a game specifically designed to encourage peer interaction between HI and H children. Participants, including both HI and H children, were invited to experience the game and provide feedback. Results: The results demonstrated the efficacy of these strategies in fostering the social interaction between HI and H children. Participants exhibited increased engagement and cooperation during gameplay, indicating the successful facilitation of peer interactions. Conclusions: By validating design and interaction strategies through a specially designed peer interaction game, the research demonstrates the effectiveness of these strategies. The findings underscore the significance of tailored strategies that address the unique challenges faced by HI children in establishing interactions with their H peers. These validated strategies can serve as a foundation for creating inclusive environments that support the overall well-being and social integration of HI children in mainstream settings.

Background: The social restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic have disrupted traditional teaching methods and encouraged the development of innovative and safer approaches based on distance learning. Among these novel techniques, digital game-based learning (DGBL) is a method that facilitates learning through the efficient use of interactive software tailored to the user. Methods: In this work, we investigated the effectiveness of the DGBL methodology for remote training using a game-based digital learning software designed about remote neonatal resuscitation. The DGBL approach was validated in 52 anesthesiologist trainees and compared to a homogenous retrospective control group of pediatric trainees with the same prior knowledge, who followed an in-person training course using the digital serious game. Scores obtained during each game session are recorded and used to assess progress in knowledge of the flowchart, decision time, timing of assisted ventilation, and ability to check equipment. Results: The results confirmed the effectiveness of the remote training mode for each of the analyzed features, whereas no statistically significant advantages of using a supervised DGBL were found. Conclusion: In conclusion, the DGBL remote training approach is a valuable tool that can provide users with an interactive, effective, and enjoyable learning experience. Future developments will concern the implementation of multiplayer versions to stimulate interaction between users for the development of inter-professional and teamwork skills.