Current Evidence on Exergaming Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is characterized by symptoms causing functional impairment in children and adolescents. For the clinical management of this condition, increasing physical activity is recommended in addition to the usual treatment with medication and/or behavioral interventions. Exergaming is active video gaming that requires full-body movements to control on-screen actions, integrating physical activity into the gaming context. For children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, traditional forms of exercising can be challenging to sustain due to challenges with motivation, impulse control, and maintaining focus. Exergaming might address these challenges by incorporating game-based rewards and appealing activities with gamified elements that can make physical activity sustainable. By reviewing currently available research, this paper aims to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of exergaming as a way to promote physical activity among children and adolescents with ADHD.

Keywords

• executive functions
• exergaming
• hyperactivity
• inattention
• impulsivity

Dikkat-Eksikliği/Hiperaktivite Bozukluğu Tanılı Çocuk ve Ergenlerde Exergaming Kullanımına İlişkin Güncel Kanıtlar

Abstract

Dikkat-eksikliği/hiperaktivite bozukluğu çocuk ve ergenlerde işlevsel bozulmaya yol açan belirtiler ile karakterizedir. Bu durumun klinik yönetiminde, ilaç tedavisi ve/veya davranışsal müdahalelerin kullanıldığı olağan tedaviye ek olarak fiziksel aktivitenin artırılması önerilmektedir. Exergaming ekrandaki hareketlerin kontrolü için tüm beden hareketleri yapılmasını gerektiren, fiziksel aktivitenin oyun bağlamıyla bütünleştirildiği aktif video oyunu şeklidir. Dikkat-eksikliği/hiperaktivite bozukluğu olan çocuk ve ergenlerde motivasyon, dürtü kontrolü ve odağını sürdürme zorlukları nedeniyle klasik egzersizlerin sürdürülmesi zor olabilmektedir. Exergaming oyun-temelli ödüller ve oyunlaştırılmış bileşenler ile fiziksel aktiviteyi sürdürülebilir yapan ilgi çekici etkinlikler aracılığıyla bu zorlukların aşılmasını kolaylaştırabilir. Bu makalede mevcut literatür gözden geçirilerek, DEHB tanılı çocuk ve ergenlerde fiziksel aktivitenin artırılması için exergaming uygulanabilirliği ve yararlı yönlerinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmaktadır.

Keywords

• dikkatsizlik
• dürtüsellik
• exergaming
• hiperaktivite
• yürütücü işlevler

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