Active Video Games for Improving Physical Performance Measures in Older People: A Meta-analysis.

Only 4 of the 18 trials were assessed as low risk of bias across 3 or more of the 6 items, and the rest had high or unclear risk. Differences in trial design and outcome measures limited pooling, and the small number of trials pooled for each outcome widened confidence intervals. Conservative assumptions about standard deviations may have affected pooled effect sizes. Most participants were higher-functioning older adults, and many trials excluded cognitive impairment or mobility limitations, so results may not apply to more impaired patients. Baseline balance and mobility scores were often high, which may have made real improvements harder to detect. Games were mostly supervised and delivered one to one, so unsupervised or group use is not established. Programs were short, and high adherence may reflect novelty rather than sustained use. Adverse events were monitored in only 2 trials, and one of those reported minor events in both groups. Some trials combined active video games with conventional exercise, so the games alone cannot be separated from the exercise in those trials. Hospitalized older people reported a preference for conventional therapy after using active video games.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that active video games alone are proven to improve physical function. Some trials combined active video games with conventional exercise, so the games alone cannot be separated from the exercise in those trials. The pooled Timed Up and Go result was not significant, and several balance measures showed no between-group difference.