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Exergaming Interventions for Preventing Falls and Injurious Falls in Older People: Systematic Review and
Charlotte Eost-Telling1,2,3, Lisa McGarrigle2,3,4, Chunhu Shi1,2
1Division of Nursing Midwifery and Social Work, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester, University of Manchester, Manchester, England, United Kingdom, 44 161 306 1247.
Exergames may reduce fall rates and the number of fallers in older adults compared to usual care or active interventions. However, more research is needed to confirm effectiveness and guide implementation for fall prevention.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Science
- Digital Health
Background:
- Exergames combine physical activity with interactive gameplay, showing potential in fall prevention for older adults.
- Gamification elements in exergames may boost motivation, engagement, and adherence to exercise programs.
- Existing reviews often focus on balance, but fewer examine clinically meaningful outcomes like falls or real-world adoption factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of exergaming interventions in preventing falls and injurious falls among individuals aged 60 and above.
- To synthesize evidence on implementation outcomes such as adherence, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of multiple databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, CENTRAL) was conducted up to February 2025.
- Included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating exergaming in older adults, focusing on fall rates, injurious falls, and implementation factors.
- Risk of bias (RoB 2.0) and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were assessed; data were synthesized narratively and via meta-analysis where appropriate.
Main Results:
- Nine studies (N=1385) were included. Exergaming showed potential to reduce fall rates versus active comparators, though with heterogeneity.
- Moderate-certainty evidence indicated exergames reduced the number of fallers compared to usual care (RR 0.75).
- Pooled analysis across all controls showed lower fall rates with exergaming (IRR 0.53), but substantial heterogeneity (I²=76%) was noted.
Conclusions:
- Low- to moderate-certainty evidence suggests exergames can reduce fall rates and the number of fallers in older adults.
- Exergames may serve as a valuable addition to existing fall prevention strategies, especially when adherence to conventional exercise is difficult.
- Further large-scale, rigorous trials are necessary to confirm findings and support routine implementation due to heterogeneity and limited long-term data.
