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Review
. 2022 Jan 28:10:775356.
doi: 10.3389/fped.2022.775356. eCollection 2022.

Gaming Technology for Pediatric Neurorehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Marco Iosa  1   2 , Cristiano Maria Verrelli  3 , Amalia Egle Gentile  4 , Martino Ruggieri  5 , Agata Polizzi  6
Affiliations
Review

Gaming Technology for Pediatric Neurorehabilitation: A Systematic Review

Marco Iosa et al. Front Pediatr. .

Abstract

Introduction: The emergence of gaming technologies, such as videogames and virtual reality, provides a wide variety of possibilities in intensively and enjoyably performing rehabilitation for children with neurological disorders. Solid evidence-based results are however required to promote the use of different gaming technologies in pediatric neurorehabilitation, while simultaneously exploring new related directions concerning neuro-monitoring and rehabilitation in familiar settings.

Aim of the study and methods: In order to analyze the state of the art regarding the available gaming technologies for pediatric neurorehabilitation, Scopus and Pubmed Databases have been searched by following: PRISMA statements, PICOs classification, and PEDro scoring.

Results: 43 studies have been collected and classified as follows: 11 feasibility studies; six studies proposing home-system solutions; nine studies presenting gamified robotic devices; nine longitudinal intervention trials; and eight reviews. Most of them rely on feasibility or pilot trials characterized by small sample sizes and short durations; different methodologies, outcome assessments and terminologies are involved; the explored spectrum of neurological conditions turns out to be scanty, mainly including the most common and wider debilitating groups of conditions in pediatric neurology: cerebral palsy, brain injuries and autism.

Conclusion: Even though it highlights reduced possibilities of drawing evidence-based conclusions due to the above outlined biases, this systematic review raises awareness among pediatricians and other health professionals about gaming technologies. Such a review also points out a definite need of rigorous studies that clearly refer to the underlying neuroscientific principles.

Keywords: adolescents; children; exergaming; neurorehabilitation; videogames; virtual reality.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The handling editor declared a shared affiliation with one of the authors MI at the time of review.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of the mini review described according to the PRISMA statement 2020.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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