Digital Video Games

Rehabilitation programmes using exergaming have shown improvements in physical, psychological, and well-being outcomes. Exercise-based video games produced mixed pain findings across the included studies. Exergaming may increase adherence and practice duration compared with standard exercise. Only three included studies examined exercise-based video gaming for knee osteoarthritis. The overall effect of digital video games on knee osteoarthritis remains inconclusive because data were insufficient for meta-analysis. Exergaming has been validated in neurological, oncological, and motor disability rehabilitation contexts. Exergaming uses interactive immersive devices to make exercise more engaging. Gaming interventions may improve adherence through enjoyment, interactivity, and real-time visual feedback. The APAER-H trial uses an interactive cycloergometer with virtual outdoor environments and real-time slope changes.