BACKGROUND
Background: Exergames are a promising exercise tool for benefits related to health. To our knowledge, no systematic reviews examine the effect comparison of commercial exergames and conventional exercises on improving the EFs for children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of comparison of commercial exergames and conventional exercises on improving executive functions (EFs) in children and adolescents.
METHODS
Method: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses guidelines, five databases (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus) were searched from their inception to July 7, 2022, to identify the relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The Physiotherapy Evidence Database was used to evaluate the risk of bias. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to evaluate the overall quality of evidence.
RESULTS
Results: Eight RCTs including 435 children and adolescents were included in the analysis. Commercial exergames had no-significant better benefit on overall executive functions (EFs) compared with conventional exercises (g=1.464; 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.352 to 3.280; p>0.05). For core EFs, no evidence suggests) that commercial exergames have more benefits of improving cognitive flexibility (g=0.906; 95%CI -0.274 to 2.086; p>0.05), inhibitory control (g=1.323; 95%CI -0.398 to 3.044; p>0.05) and working memory (g =2.420; 95%CI -1.199 to 6.038; p>0.05), compared with conventional exercises.
CONCLUSIONS
Conclusion: Commercial exergames appear to have no better beneficial effects on overall and core EFs in children and adolescents compared with conventional exercises. It is still noteworthy that this study only included commercial exergames rather than custom exergames.
CLINICALTRIAL
CRD42022324111