Effects of exergaming on executive functions of children: a systematic review and meta-analysis from 2010 to 2023

• Published in: Archives of public health = Archives belges de santé publique 2023-10, Vol.81 (1), p.182-11, Article 182
• Main Authors: Chen, Jiaqi, Zhou, Xiaojiao, Wu, Xiangting, Gao, Zan, Ye, Sunyue
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Analysis; Children; Childrens health; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Cognitive development; Cognitive flexibility; Computer & video games; Executive function; Exercise; Exergame; Flexibility; Health risk assessment; Inhibition control; Intervention; Memory; Mental health; Meta-analysis; Pediatrics; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Problem solving; Public health; Systematic review; Working memory
• ISSN: 0778-7367; 2049-3258; 2049-3258
• DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01195-z

Executive function plays a crucial role in children's cognitive development, academic performance, as well as their physical and mental health. This study aims to assess the impact of exergaming on executive functions in pediatric populations. The criteria of inclusion were randomized controlled trials of exergaming intervention and evaluation of executive function in children aged 4-12 years. A meta-analysis was performed in databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (in Chinese), Wan Fang (in Chinese), Web of Science, Embase, and PubMed, from January 2010 to February 2023, following the PRISMA guidelines. Risk of bias was assessed by the Jadad scale, the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool, funnel plot, and regression-based Egger test. The Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze the included articles using a random-effects model, and the effects were calculated as standardized mean difference (SMD). Eleven experimental studies with children (n = 508) were included. Exergaming was found to have a positive impact on children's cognitive flexibility (SMD = 0.34, 95%CI [0.17,0.52], P