Date of Award

5-1-2022

Degree Type

DPT Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Advisor

Alvaro Gurovich

Abstract

Background: Physical activity improves physiological and psychological health outcomes. Increased research has been dedicated to the effect of physical activity through active video game play. Limited studies have explored active video game play in people diagnosed with severe mental illness (SMI). The term “exergaming” is relatively new but describes the current body of research studies that employ active video game play in lieu of traditional exercise. This review focuses on finding the most current available evidence exploring the effects of physical activity through exergaming on the physical and psychiatric health outcomes of people with SMI.

Methods: Articles across 6 databases using key terms “physical activity or exercise,” “video games or exergames or exergaming,” and “depression or bipolar or schizophrenia” were searched and assessed for contribution to this topic. Areas reviewed included exergaming parameters, methodological quality, presence and type of control, study populations, and health outcomes.

Results: Six articles were chosen from a search yielding 322 results. A gross lack of homogeneity was present between the 6 studies regarding exergaming parameters, presence and type of control, study populations, and health outcomes. Additionally, low-to-moderate methodological quality was present among the 6 studies.

Conclusion: Exergaming is correlated with reduction in depressive symptoms and psychiatric symptoms associated with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other SMI. Participants experienced increased quality of life and physical functioning. No significant difference was observed for fear of falling. Further research is required on this topic.

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