Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40914766›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of obesity (2005)2025

Virtual reality-enhanced exergames for weight control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Hsin-Yen Yen, Huei-Ling Chiu, Hao-Yun Huang

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of obesity (2005), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
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

3 authors.

Hsin-Yen YenSchool of Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.ORCID 0000-0002-9194-1783
Huei-Ling ChiuSchool of Gerontology and Long-Term Care, College of Nursing, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan. reiko@tmu.edu.tw.
Hao-Yun HuangMater Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundObesity is an important public health issue. Virtual reality provides an opportunity to increase benefits of traditional exercise programs with more immersive, interactive, and enjoyable experiences for weight control.

objectivesThis study aimed to explore the efficacy of virtual reality-enhanced exergames for obesity-related outcomes, including body weight, body mass index, body fat, and waist circumference.

methodsSix electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, and CINAHL Plus, were searched for randomized controlled trials. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted using a random-effects model. In total, 12 qualified studies were selected for both qualitative and quantitative syntheses.

resultsVirtual reality-enhanced exergames exerted small significant effects on improving body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage. Low heterogeneity and no significant publication bias were found among the studies.

conclusionsCreating an immersive virtual world is an interesting and effective strategy for users to engage in physical activity. Virtual reality-enhanced exergames are recommended for weight control and obesity prevention across populations.

Indexed as

ExerciseExercise TherapyObesityVideo GamesVirtual RealityHumansRandomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Identifiers

PMID40914766

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
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.