Gamification in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Digital Health
• Exercise Science

Background:

• Musculoskeletal conditions require effective rehabilitation strategies.
• Traditional physical therapy can face challenges with patient adherence and motivation.
• Emerging technologies offer novel approaches to enhance rehabilitation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a narrative review of gamification and exergaming in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
• To evaluate the literature published in the last five years.
• To identify the efficacy and benefits of game-based rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was performed using PubMed.
• MeSH terms included "gamification," "exergaming," and "rehabilitation."
• Seventeen original studies in English were included in the review.

Main Results:

• Gamification and exergaming were applied to diverse musculoskeletal conditions including arthritis, low back pain, and post-surgical recovery.
• Game-based interventions demonstrated results comparable or superior to conventional physical therapy.
• Significant improvements were observed in patient motivation, quality of life, and adherence to exercise programs.

Conclusions:

• Gamification and exergaming represent a promising adjunct or alternative to traditional musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
• These technologies offer enhanced patient engagement and improved health outcomes.
• The cost-effectiveness of exergames is a notable advantage in clinical settings.