Effects of immersive gamification technology on the physical function of people with Parkinson's disease: a scoping review.

Abstract

Conventional rehabilitation effectively manages physical impairments in Parkinson's disease (PD), but reduced motivation limits long-term adherence. Immersive gamification technology systems (ImGTS) offer an engaging, safe, and potentially effective approach to improve physical function. However, the scope and characteristics of current evidence remain unclear. This scoping review mapped the literature on the effects of ImGTS on physical function in people with PD. A Boolean search of six databases was conducted in March 2025, supplemented by backward snowballing, to identify all eligible English-language studies indexed up to the date of the search that involved people with PD and evaluated ImGTS for physical function outcomes. Data on study characteristics, population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and key findings were charted using a standardized form. Screening, data charting, and methodological quality assessment were conducted independently by five reviewers, with disagreements resolved through consensus. Findings were synthesized narratively with descriptive statistics. Twenty-nine studies were included: randomized controlled trials (n = 10, 34.5%), pre-post intervention studies (n = 10, 34.5%), within-subject trials (n = 6, 20.7%), and cross-over trials (n = 3, 10.3%). Most of these studies had low (n = 18, 62.0%) to moderate (n = 10, 34.5%) risk of bias. Games were task-based, goal-oriented, recreational, and multi-level. Balance (n = 17, 58.6%) and gait (n = 16, 55.2%) consistently improved, whereas effects on upper extremity strength, coordination, and function were more variable. Similar platforms were often classified differently in terms of immersiveness, highlighting inconsistent reporting. ImGTS show promise for improving physical function in PD, but evidence is limited by methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent definitions. Future studies should adopt standardized definitions, robust study designs, and context-appropriate ImGTS frameworks.