. 2022 Oct 27;15(6):629–636. doi: 10.1007/s12178-022-09797-w

Table 1.

Descriptive data from the studies included

Reference	Population	Intervention	Results
Marley et al. [11•]	71 patients after arthroscopic shoulder surgery	2 groups - 12 weeks of intervention 1^st group - conventional physical therapy 2^nd group - exercises with Kinect MIRA System	Results were similar in both groups. Exergames may be effectively employed in the rehabilitation of these patients. The treatment with exergames is innovative and reduces the overload in the routine of the physical therapist.
Carvalho et al. [12•]	35 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 20 sessions 1^st group - Wii (virtual rehabilitation) 2^nd group - control (stretching exercises)	Exergames improved the range of joints motion, flexibility, and reduced tender points; however, no improvement was observed in static balance.
Villafaina et al. [13•]	55 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 24 weeks (120 min/week, in 2 sessions of 60 min) 1^st group - exergames focused on mobility, postural control, coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength 2^nd group - control, kept usual activities	Exergames contributed to the improvement of perceived health status and pain, as well as quality of life.
Pekyavas et al. [14•]	30 patients with subacromial impingement syndrome	2 groups 1^st group - home exercises 2^nd group - exergames (Wii)	Virtual reality exergaming programs were more effective than home exercise programs in the short term in subjects with subacromial impingement syndrome.
Villafaina et al. [15•]	55 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 24 weeks (120 min/week, in 2 sessions of 60 min) 1^st group - exergames focused on mobility, postural control, coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength 2^nd group - control, kept usual activities	The exergames group improved cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength in lower limbs.
Martín-Martínez et al. [16•]	55 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 24 weeks (120 min/week, in 2 sessions of 60 min) 1^st group - exergame Virtual Ex-FM focused on mobility, postural control, coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength 2^nd group - control, kept usual activities	The exergames group improved cardiovascular fitness in single- and dual-task conditions.
De Carvalho et al. [17•]	35 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 7 weeks, 3 weekly sessions of 1 h 1^st group - exergames (Wii) 2^nd group - control, stretching exercises	Exergames improved exercise capacity and pain threshold, and reduced fatigue and the overall impact of the disease.
Villafaina et al. [18•]	55 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 24 weeks (120 min/week, in 2 sessions of 60 min) 1^st group - exergame Virtual Ex-FM focused on mobility, postural control, coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength 2^nd group - control, kept usual activities	Exergames group improved the autonomic control (heart rate variability) of the patients.
Collado-Mateo et al. [19•]	83 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 8 weeks (120 min/week, in 2 sessions of 60 min) 1^st group - exergame virtual Ex-FM using Kinect, focused on mobility, postural control, coordination, aerobic fitness, and strength 2^nd group - control, kept usual activities	The exergame-based program was an effective intervention for reducing pain and increasing health-related quality of life.
Afzal et al. [20•]	84 patients with chronic low back pain	2 groups - 4 weeks (3 sessions/week) 1^st group - exergames using Kinect and conventional physical therapy 2^nd group - conventional physical therapy	Virtual reality exercises combined with physical therapy promoted more improvements that physical therapy alone regarding pain and disability.
Collado-Mateo et al. [21•]	76 women with fibromyalgia	2 groups - 8 weeks (2 sessions/week, 1 h/session) 1^st group - exergame virtual Ex-FM using Kinect, focused on the improvement of physical condition and activities of daily living 2^nd group - control, kept usual activities	The exergame intervention was effective in improving mobility, balance, and reducing fear of falling.
Ambrosino et al. [22•]	40 patients with a rheumatoid arthritis RA	All subjects underwent traditional in-hospital 4-week-twice/daily 60-min session comprehensive rehabilitation program, defined as a multidisciplinary treatment (Nintendo Wii Fit). At discharge, subjects were randomized in 2 groups: 1^st group - subjects who continued the same Wii Fit training at home for additional 8 weeks 2^nd control - kept usual activities	Home exergaming may be an effective additional rehabilitative tool in RA since it allows the maintenance of the benefits obtained in traditional multidisciplinary rehabilitation.
Manlapaz et al. [23•]	12 participants with knee OA and history of falling	Single-group pre-post experimental study design: eight weeks of usual care followed by eight weeks of an exergaming program (Nintendo Wii Fit™). This was followed by semi-structured focus groups	The study found that it was feasible and acceptable to use Nintendo Wii Fit as an exergaming tool to improve balance and decrease the risk of falling in adults with knee OA.
Then et al. [24•]	19 patients undergoing rehabilitation after metacarpal fracture	2 groups: 8 weeks program 1^st group - conventional physical therapy 2^nd group - gamification (mobile game app simulating composite range of motion exercises)	Gamification with a mobile device was an inexpensive and safe alternative to conventional physical therapy for hand rehabilitation, serving as a guide for future development of cost-effective technology-enhanced therapies.
Matheve et al. [25•]	84 individuals with low back pain	A single session of exercise: 1^st group - exercise with non-immersive virtual reality game (wireless motion sensor Valedo Pro) 2^nd group - control, same exercises without games	The effect of the distraction induced hypoalgesia was observed, suggesting that non-immersive games can be used to reduce pain during exercise in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Stamm et al. [26•]	10 elderly participants with chronic back pain	Testing session of a virtual reality game	User-friendly virtual reality exergames motivate elderly patients with chronic back pain to perform exercises regularly.
Clausen et al. [27•]	26 patients with history of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction	2 groups: 1^st game training with GenuSport device 2^nd conventional rehabilitation	The implementation of an app-based active muscle training program in the early postoperative therapy scheme was associated with greater improvement in maximal strength than conventional rehabilitation.

RA rheumatoid arthritis, OA osteoarthitis, min minutes, h hour