Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40634592›Full record

ArticleNPJ digital medicine2025

The overlooked role of exergames in cognitive-motor neurorehabilitation: a systematic review.

Maria Grazia Maggio, Francesca Baglio, Raffaela Maione, Rosalia Calapai, Fulvia Di Iulio, Paulo Cezar Rocha Dos Santos, Marcos Maldonado-Díaz, Giulia Pistorino, Antonio Cerasa, Angelo Quartarone and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in NPJ digital medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Maria Grazia MaggioIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Francesca BaglioIRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi Onlus, Milano, Italy.
Raffaela MaioneIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy. raffaela.maione@irccsme.it.
Rosalia CalapaiIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Fulvia Di IulioIRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Roma, Italy.
Paulo Cezar Rocha Dos SantosIDOR/Pioneer Science Initiative, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Marcos Maldonado-DíazPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service, Clínica Alemana-Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Giulia PistorinoUniversità degli studi di Messina, Messina, Italy.
Antonio CerasaInstitute of BioImaging and Complex Biological Systems, National Research Council (IBSBC-CNR), Catanzaro, Italy.
Angelo QuartaroneIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
Rocco Salvatore CalabròIRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino-Pulejo, Messina, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Exergames are emerging tools for cognitive-motor neurorehabilitation, but their effects in adults with neurological conditions remain insufficiently explored. This systematic review examined studies from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science, assessing the impact of exergames on motor and cognitive outcomes. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs), non-RCTs, and experimental designs. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420250655053) and followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines. Eleven studies (8 RCTs, 2 feasibility studies, 1 secondary analysis) reported improvements in balance, gait, executive function, and memory, with high adherence (85-100%) and minimal adverse effects. While the overall risk of bias was low, heterogeneity in interventions, populations, and outcome measures limited comparability and generalizability. Additionally, the absence of long-term follow-up hindered conclusions on sustained benefits. Exergames appear promising for cognitive-motor rehabilitation in neurological conditions. Future studies should adopt standardized protocols, include long-term follow-up, and explore neurophysiological mechanisms to support clinical implementation.

Identifiers

PMID40634592
PMCPMC12241605

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.