Exergaming as a mental health intervention in the elderly: A clinical review

Abstract

Exergames is a new arena of mental health intervention in the elderly. The present article is a clinical review on various areas where exergaming has been used to enhance mental health in the elderly. The review looks at the use of exergames in dementia, geriatric depression, as a tool for movement and to improve memory and cognition. The role of exergames in improving intellectual function, instability and falls in the elderly is also discussed. The role of exergames to improve fragility is mentioned. The review looks at the advantages and disadvantages of exergames in the elderly and the limitations of various studies done so far from a clinical and scientific rigor standpoint. The future research needs are also discussed. Exergames is a mental health intervention area in geriatric mental health that will be used more in the years to come.