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

Yıl 2025, Cilt: 9 Sayı: 2, 259 - 266, 08.08.2025

Sarper İçen

https://doi.org/10.46332/aemj.1585114

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

executive functions , exergaming , hyperactivity , inattention , impulsivity

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

Öz

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.

Anahtar Kelimeler

dikkatsizlik , dürtüsellik , exergaming , hiperaktivite , yürütücü işlevler

Kaynakça

• 1. Peterson BS, Trampush J, Maglione M, et al. Treatments for ADHD in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Pediatrics. 2024;153(4):202406 5787.
• 2. Li D, Li L, Zang W, et al. Effect of physical activity on attention in school-age children with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Physiol. 2023;14:1189443.
• 3. Song Y, Fan B, Wang C, Yu H. Meta-analysis of the effects of physical activity on executive function in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. PLoS One. 2023;18(8):0289732.
• 4. Sun W, Yu M, Zhou X. Effects of physical exercise on attention deficit and other major symptoms in children with ADHD: A meta-analysis. Psychiatry Res. 2022;311:114509.
• 5. Yang G, Liu Q, Wang W, Liu W, Li J. Effect of aerobic exercise on the improvement of executive function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Psychol. 2024;15:1376354.
• 6. Chen JW, Zhu K. Single Exercise for Core Symptoms and Executive Functions in ADHD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Atten Disord. 2024;28(4): 399-414.
• 7. Huang H, Jin Z, He C, Guo S, Zhang Y, Quan M. Chronic Exercise for Core Symptoms and Executive Functions in ADHD: A Meta-analysis. Pediatrics. 2023;151(1):2022057745.
• 8. Chen JW, Du WQ, Zhu K. Optimal exercise intensity for improving executive function in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: systematic review and network meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2024:1-22.
• 9. Sibley MH, Bruton AM, Zhao X, et al. Non-pharmacological interventions for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2023;7(6):415-428.
• 10. Powell L, Parker J, Harpin V. What is the level of evidence for the use of currently available technologies in facilitating the self-management of difficulties associated with ADHD in children and young people? A systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018;27(11):1391-1412.
• 11. Guan Lim C, Lim-Ashworth NSJ, Fung DSS. Updates in technology-based interventions for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2020;33(6):577-585.
• 12. Klos L, Feil K, Eberhardt T, Jekauc D. Interventions to Promote Positive Affect and Physical Activity in Children, Adolescents and Young Adults-A Systematic Review. Sports (Basel). 2020;8(2):26.
• 13. Joronen K, Aikasalo A, Suvitie A. Nonphysical effects of exergames on child and adolescent well-being: a comprehensive systematic review. Scand J Caring Sci. 2017;31(3):449-461.
• 14. Marker AM, Staiano AE. Better Together: Outcomes of Cooperation Versus Competition in Social Exergaming. Games Health J. 2015;4(1):25-30.
• 15. Fogel VA, Miltenberger RG, Graves R, Koehler S. The effects of exergaming on physical activity among inactive children in a physical education classroom. J Appl Behav Anal. 2010;43(4):591-600.
• 16. Liu W, Zeng N, McDonough DJ, Gao Z. Effect of Active Video Games on Healthy Children's Fundamental Motor Skills and Physical Fitness: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020;17(21): 8264.
• 17. Oppici L, Stell FM, Utesch T, Woods CT, Foweather L, Rudd JR. A Skill Acquisition Perspective on the Impact of Exergaming Technology on Foundational Movement Skill Development in Children 3-12 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med Open. 2022;8(1):148.
• 18. Fu Y, Burns RD, Gomes E, Savignac A, Constantino N. Trends in Sedentary Behavior, Physical Activity, and Motivation during a Classroom-Based Active Video Game Program. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;16(16):2821.
• 19. Rhodes RE, Nwachukwu N, Quinlan A. Family Exergaming: Correlates and Preferences. Games Health J. 2018;7(3):188-196.
• 20. McMichael L, Farič N, Newby K, et al. Parents of Adolescents Perspectives of Physical Activity, Gaming and Virtual Reality: Qualitative Study. JMIR Serious Games. 2020;8(3):14920.
• 21. Bowling AB, Slavet J, Hendrick C, et al. The Adaptive GameSquad Xbox-Based Physical Activity and Health Coaching Intervention for Youth With Neurodevelopmental and Psychiatric Diagnoses: Pilot Feasibility Study. JMIR Form Res. 2021;5(5):24566.
• 22. Benzing V, Chang YK, Schmidt M. Acute Physical Activity Enhances Executive Functions in Children with ADHD. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):12382.
• 23. Benzing V, Schmidt M. The effect of exergaming on executive functions in children with ADHD: A randomized clinical trial. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2019;29(8):1243-1253.
• 24. Ji H, Wu S, Won J, et al. The Effects of Exergaming on Attention in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Serious Games. 2023;11(1):40438.
• 25. Kou R, Zhang Z, Zhu F, Tang Y, Li Z. Effects of Exergaming on executive function and motor ability in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2024;19(9):0309462.
• 26. Zhu F, Zhu X, Bi X, et al. Comparative effectiveness of various physical exercise interventions on executive functions and related symptoms in children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A systematic review and network meta-analysis. Front Public Health. 2023;11:1133727.
• 27. Sun H. Exergaming impact on physical activity and interest in elementary school children. Res. Q. Exerc. Sport. 2012;83(2):212-220.
• 28. Rhodes RE, Kaos MD, Beauchamp MR, et al. Effects of home-based exergaming on child social cognition and subsequent prediction of behavior. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2018;28(10):2234-2242.
• 29. Anzeneder S, Zehnder C, Schmid J, Martin-Niedecken AL, Schmidt M, Benzing V. Dose-response relation between the duration of a cognitively challenging bout of physical exercise and children's cognition. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2023;33(8):1439-1451.
• 30. Chen J, Zhou X, Wu X, Gao Z, Ye S. Effects of exergaming on executive functions of children: a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2010 to 2023. Arch Public Health. 2023;81(1):182.
• 31. Anzeneder S, Zehnder C, Martin-Niedecken AL, Schmidt M, Benzing V. Acute exercise and children's cognitive functioning: What is the optimal dose of cognitive challenge?. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2023;66: 102404.
• 32. Best JR. Exergaming immediately enhances children's executive function. Dev Psychol. 2012;48(5):1501-1510.
• 33. Verhoeven K, Abeele VV, Gers B, Seghers J. Energy Expenditure During Xbox Kinect Play in Early Adolescents: The Relationship with Player Mode and Game Enjoyment. Games Health J. 2015;4(6):444-451.
• 34. Nekar DM, Kang HY, Lee JW, Oh SY, Yu JH. Effects of Cooperative, Competitive, and Solitary Exergames on Cognition and Anxiety Levels in Children with Developmental Disabilities. Games Health J. 2023;12(5): 405-413.
• 35. Xiong S, Zhang P, Gao Z. Effects of Exergaming on Preschoolers' Executive Functions and Perceived Competence: A Pilot Randomized Trial. J Clin Med. 2019;8(4):469.
• 36. Gao Z, Lee JE, Zeng N, Pope ZC, Zhang Y, Li X. Home-Based Exergaming on Preschoolers' Energy Expenditure, Cardiovascular Fitness, Body Mass Index and Cognitive Flexibility: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. 2019;8(10):1745.
• 37. Gashaj V, Dapp LC, Trninic D, Roebers CM. The effect of video games, exergames and board games on executive functions in kindergarten and 2nd grade: An explorative longitudinal study. Trends Neurosci Educ. 2021;25:100162.
• 38. Yamamoto T, Pandit B, Viggiano M, et al. Efficacy of a 6-week Novel Exergaming Intervention Guided by Heart Rate Zones on Aerobic Performance in Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Feasibility Study. Int J Exerc Sci. 2023;16(3):710-720.
• 39. Anderson-Hanley C, Tureck K, Schneiderman RL. Autism and exergaming: effects on repetitive behaviors and cognition. Psychol Res Behav Manag. 2011;4:129-137.
• 40. Hou Y, Wang Y, Deng J, Song X. Effects of different exercise interventions on executive function in children with autism spectrum disorder: a network meta-analysis. Front Psychiatry. 2024;15:1440123.
• 41. Lee HK, Jin J. The effect of a virtual reality exergame on motor skills and physical activity levels of children with a developmental disability. Res Dev Disabil. 2023;132:104386.
• 42. Benzing V, Schmidt M. Exergaming for Children and Adolescents: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. J Clin Med. 2018;7(11):422.