JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Serious games are increasingly recognized as effective tools for healthcare interventions, particularly for adolescents with behavioral and developmental needs. However, inconsistent design frameworks and limited integration of theoretical concepts challenge their scalability and impact. Understanding how these concepts are applied in serious game design is essential for enhancing their real-world impact.

Objective:

The objective of this systematic review is to examine the current state of the art in the use of serious gaming interventions in healthcare for adolescents with behavioral or developmental issues. The review will focus on elucidating the elements involved in how these games are designed and can contribute to learning. The review is conducted from the theoretical framework perspectives of boundary crossing, transfer and a model of reality.

Methods:

A total of five databases (PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, PsycINFO and EMBASE) were searched for relevant titles and abstracts. The databases were identified as relevant and cover a wide range of published research into health and social science.

Results:

A total of 34 relevant studies were included in the review, which covered a range of serious gaming artefacts with the objective of identifying learning or development opportunities for adolescents with behavioral or developmental issues.

Conclusions:

This review highlights the transformative potential of serious games in healthcare, particularly for individuals with developmental and behavioral needs, by fostering skill acquisition, collaboration, and real-world application. Despite their potential, the development of serious games requires a more structured integration of theoretical frameworks to ensure scalability, replicability, and sustained impact. Future research should prioritize standardized methodologies, longitudinal evaluations, and a focus enhanced collaboration.