[Abstract] Gamification in Physical Therapy: More Than Using Games

Abstract

The implementation of computer games in physical therapy is motivated by characteristics such as attractiveness, motivation, and engagement, but these do not guarantee the intended therapeutic effect of the interventions. Yet, these characteristics are important variables in physical therapy interventions because they involve reward-related dopaminergic systems in the brain that are known to facilitate learning through long-term potentiation of neural connections. In this perspective we propose a way to apply game design approaches to therapy development by “designing” therapy sessions in such a way as to trigger physical and cognitive behavioral patterns required for treatment and neurological recovery. We also advocate that improving game knowledge among therapists and improving communication between therapists and game designers may lead to a novel avenue in designing applied games with specific therapeutic input, thereby making gamification in therapy a realistic and promising future that may optimize clinical practice.

Source: Gamification in Physical Therapy: More Than Using Games : Pediatric Physical Therapy

[REVIEW] Serious Games in Neurorehabilitation: A Systematic Review of Recent Evidence

ABSTRACT. Serious Games (SG) have been conceptualized for various target groups (particularly stroke) in neurorehabilitation. SG claim to be effective at two levels: achieving the serious goal (effectiveness) and eliciting game experience (attractiveness). A systematic review of recent studies (4 RCT and 30 further studies) retrieved from four data bases (PubMed, Google scholar, IEEE, and ACM) was performed addressing two main issues: (1) applied game technologies and (2) the effectiveness and attractiveness of rehabilitation games. The study reveals heterogeneous features of the studies concerning game technology, target group, duration and volume of intervention, and outcome variables. The outcomes concerning functional improvement and attitude are sparsely documented and show a positive tendency. However, the evidence is not yet convincing. In the future, more studies with improved methods are needed to substantiate the evidence.

via Serious Games in Neurorehabilitation.

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