Can Video Games Improve Clinical Health? (Review Study)

Researchers asked that question while conducting a meta-analysis on improvements to patient health.  Both #seriousgames and #exergames were identified including the following articles snagged at Research Blogging. Results of the meta-analysis revealed video games can substantially improve outcomes in physical therapy (69%), psychological therapy (59%), getting patients more active (42%) and for pain management (42%). While not saying that video games can improve all areas of health perfectly, the authors conclude...

Despite these limitations, this comprehensive systematic review demonstrates that video games may have potential for improving health in a wide variety of areas, for a variety of sociodemographic groups. This is a valuable finding, particularly given the growing popularity and ubiquity of video games worldwide. To most effectively assess the potential benefits of video games for health, it will be important for further research to utilize (1) RCT methodology when appropriate; (2) longer follow-up duration; (3) improved measures of quality, such as randomization and blinding; and (4) standardized measurement tools and careful attention to the quality of outcome measures.

• Primack BA, Carroll MV, McNamara M, Klem ML, King B, Rich M, Chan CW, & Nayak S (2012). Role of video games in improving health-related outcomes: a systematic review. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42 (6), 630-8 PMID: 22608382
• Murphy EC, Carson L, Neal W, Baylis C, Donley D, & Yeater R (2009). Effects of an exercise intervention using Dance Dance Revolution on endothelial function and other risk factors in overweight children. International journal of pediatric obesity : IJPO : an official journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 4 (4), 205-14 PMID: 19922034
• Howcroft J, Klejman S, Fehlings D, Wright V, Zabjek K, Andrysek J, & Biddiss E (2012). Active Video Game Play in Children With Cerebral Palsy: Potential for Physical Activity Promotion and Rehabilitation Therapies. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PMID: 22571917
• Ni Mhurchu C, Maddison R, Jiang Y, Jull A, Prapavessis H, & Rodgers A (2008). Couch potatoes to jumping beans: a pilot study of the effect of active video games on physical activity in children. The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 5 PMID: 18257911

Click here to explore more of ExerGame Lab's archived posts involving research studies. 

Related articles

• Playing exergames in the classroom: Pre-service teachers' motivation, passion, effort, and perspectives (study) (exergamelab.org)
• #Exergame Benefits Review & Improved Body Comp Studies (SciVee) (exergamelab.org)
• Can Wii Fit #Exergame Help Elderly With Balance & Gait? (exergamelab.org)
• Children with CP Benefit from #exergames (exergamelab.org)

The 8th Annual Games for Health Conference in Boston, MA at the Hyatt Harboside Hotel is June 12-14 -- under one month away!
Register today at: http://www.regonline.com/gbew2012

Additional Games for Health Keynotes!

Constance Steinkuehler Squire, senior policy analyst for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, will discuss the opportunities for videogames to address national challenges, including those in health, health care, and biotechnology.

Bill Crounse, MD, senior director of worldwide health for Microsoft, will present “Connecting & Kinecting Health and Health Care,” which will explore how Microsoft and its partners are merging its information and game technologies to create global solutions for personal health and professional health care.

Jane McGonigal, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder of SuperBetter Labs, will highlight the design and release of SuperBetter, a game-based social application designed to help people boost personal resilience and lead healthier, longer, and more positive lives.

Jay Walker, curator and chairman of TEDMED, a global community of people who passionately believe that the future of health and medicine is here, will provide the end-of-conference special guest keynote: “Gaming the System”.


About Games for Health
Founded in 2004, the Games for Health Project supports the development of the health games community, champions efforts to mainstream health games, and brings together researchers, medical professionals, and game developers to share information about the impact games and game technologies can have on health, health care, and policy. The Pioneer Portfolio of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a major supporter of both the Games for Health Project and its annual Games for Health Conference.


About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and its Pioneer Portfolio
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing the United States. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. Projects in the Pioneer Portfolio are future-oriented and look beyond conventional thinking to explore solutions at the cutting edge of health and healthcare. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org/pioneer.

To see all the latest scheduled sessions please visit:
Our Schedule Block Page
You can also follow us  on Twitter.