Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jun 24, 2024
Date Accepted: Jan 28, 2025
Gamification in Mobile Health Applications for Rehabilitation: Protocol for a Scoping Review
ABSTRACT
Background:
The use of gamification in physical therapy mobile health interventions has increased rapidly in recent years, particularly with self-management of exercise in a home environment. Prior research has focused broadly on digital exergames, such as virtual reality or video games, or specifically on single concerns, such as stroke or musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Objective:
This scoping review aims to identify studies that have implemented gamification in rehabilitative interventions through mobile applications to treat all conditions addressed by physical therapists. Characteristics related to the rehabilitative process, gamification elements and patient-related outcomes will be examined.
Methods:
A literature search will be conducted on the following databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, PeDRO, Scopus and Web of Science. Study inclusion criteria will be based on the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) framework, with publications describing the use of a gamified mobile app in a movement-based intervention in any area physical therapy included. Reporting of results will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). A narrative synthesis of included publications will be performed.
Results:
A database search was completed in May 2024 and yielded 2,148 publications. Title and abstract screening, full-text screening and data extraction are expected to be complete by August 2024. The review is expected to be completed by January 2025.
Conclusions:
Findings from this scoping review will provide evidence on gamified mobile apps to assist physical rehabilitation professionals with decision-making on remote interventions. Understanding game elements used in rehabilitative mobile apps may enhance patient engagement and adherence, which may ultimately improve patient-related outcomes. Clinical Trial: Open Science Framework; https://osf.io/fz9nq
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