The DOI matches its Crossref record; 66 of the 66 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Video Games in Health Care: Closing the Gap
Abstract
Although a great deal of media attention has been given to the negative effects of playing video games, relatively less attention has been paid to the positive effects of engaging in this activity. Video games in health care provide ample examples of innovative ways to use existing commercial games for health improvement or surgical training. Tailor-made games help patients be more adherent to treatment regimens and train doctors how to manage patients in different clinical situations. In this review, examples in the scientific literature of commercially available and tailor-made games used for education and training with patients and medical students and doctors are summarized. There is a history of using video games with patients from the early days of gaming in the 1980s, and this has evolved into a focus on making tailor-made games for different disease groups, which have been evaluated in scientific trials more recently. Commercial video games have been of interest regarding their impact on surgical skill. More recently, some basic computer games have been developed and evaluated that train doctors in clinical skills. The studies presented in this article represent a body of work outlining positive effects of playing video games in the area of health care.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“Serious gaming (ie, [digital] games used for purposes other than purely entertainment) is a novel and promising approach to support the treatment of clinical symptoms and improvement of adaptive functioning among diverse patient groups [31-35].”
In the citing paper
“Although several commercial off-the-shelf games have been effective in obtaining health benefits (Peng et al. 2011), serious games designed specifically for health promotion provide additional benefits compared to these purely leisure games, for example by providing health-related information (Kato 2010).”
From A meta-analysis of serious digital games for healthy lifestyle promotion (2014) · cites this paper as Kato 2010
Citations
Cites
Institute of Medicine (2000) · National Academies Press eBooks · doi:10.17226/9728 · Cited by 14,367
Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century
Baker, A. (2001) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.323.7322.1192 · Cited by 10,779
To Err is Human: Building a Safer Health System
Hendee, W. R. (2001) · Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology · doi:10.1016/s1051-0443(01)70072-3 · Cited by 10,129
The file drawer problem and tolerance for null results.
Rosenthal, R. (1979) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/0033-2909.86.3.638 · Cited by 9,068
Crossing the Quality Chasm: A New Health System for the 21st Century
Committee on Quality of Health Care in America (2002) · Journal for Healthcare Quality · doi:10.1111/j.1945-1474.2002.tb00463.x · Cited by 8,508
Action video game modifies visual selective attention
Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2003) · Nature · doi:10.1038/nature01647 · Cited by 2,540
Studies in Health Technology and Informatics
Aphinyanaphongs, Y., & Aliferis, C. (2007) · Cited by 1,247
International Journal of Psychoanalysis
Wilkinson, M. (2006) · Journal of Analytical Psychology · doi:10.1111/j.1468-5922.2006.00501_3.x · Cited by 1,183
Rieber, L. P. (1996) · Educational Technology Research and Development · doi:10.1007/bf02300540 · Cited by 997
Action-Video-Game Experience Alters the Spatial Resolution of Vision
Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2007) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01853.x · Cited by 881
British Journal Of Sports Medicine
Macneil, J. (2015) · Wilderness and Environmental Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.wem.2014.12.005 · Cited by 872
Kato, P. M., Cole, S. W., Bradlyn, A. S., & Pollock, B. H. (2008) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3134 · Cited by 802 · cited 2×
“In a randomized trial (Kato et al., 2008) with 374 patients between the ages of 12 and 29 at 34 medical centers in the United States, Canada, and Australia, patients who played Re-Mission were compared with patients who played a control game, Indiana Jones and the Emperor’s Tomb .”
BackgroundMethodSelf-citationRosas, R., Nussbaum, M., Cumsille, P., Marianov, V., Correa, M., Flores, P., Grau, V., Lagos, F., López, X., López, V., et al. (2003) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/s0360-1315(02)00099-4 · Cited by 699 · cited 1×
“The repetitive nature of video game play is thought to be a key mechanism that promotes learning in games as well (Rosas et al., 2003).”
BackgroundThe Impact of Video Games on Training Surgeons in the 21st Century
Rosser, J. C. (2007) · Archives of Surgery · doi:10.1001/archsurg.142.2.181 · Cited by 687
Linking obesity and activity level with children's television and video game use
Vandewater, E. A., Shim, M.-S. P., & Caplovitz, A. G. (2004) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1016/j.adolescence.2003.10.003 · Cited by 604
The “I's” Have It: A Framework for Serious Educational Game Design
Annetta, L. A. (2010) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0018985 · Cited by 521
The Ultimate History of Video Games
Kent, S. L. (2001) · Prima Communications, Inc. eBooks · Cited by 499
Castel, A. D., Pratt, J., & Drummond, E. (2005) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2005.02.004 · Cited by 484
Educational video game for juvenile diabetes: results of a controlled trial
Brown, S. J., Lieberman, D. A., Gemeny, B. A., Fan, Y. C., Wilson, D. M., & Pasta, D. J. (1997) · Medical Informatics · doi:10.3109/14639239709089835 · Cited by 477
American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book
Perry, M. C. (2003) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 471
Evidence for publication bias in video game violence effects literature: A meta-analytic review
Ferguson, C. J. (2007) · Aggression and Violent Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.avb.2007.01.001 · Cited by 398
Energy Expenditure of Sedentary Screen Time Compared With Active Screen Time for Children
Lanningham‐Foster, L., Jensen, T. B., Foster, R. C., Redmond, A. B., Walker, B. A., Heinz, D., & Levine, J. A. (2006) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2006-1087 · Cited by 384
Management of Chronic Pediatric Diseases with Interactive Health Games: Theory and Research Findings
Lieberman, D. A. (2001) · Journal of Ambulatory Care Management · doi:10.1097/00004479-200101000-00004 · Cited by 361
Virtual reality pain control during burn wound debridement in the hydrotank
Hoffman, H. G., Patterson, D. R., Seibel, E., Soltani, M., Jewett-Leahy, L., & Sharar, S. R. (2008) · The Clinical Journal of Pain · doi:10.1097/ajp.0b013e318164d2cc · Cited by 352
Rector, A. L. (2003) · Cited by 311
Distraction with a hand‐held video game reduces pediatric preoperative anxiety
Patel, A., Schieble, T., DAVIDSON, M., Tran, M. C., Schoenberg, C., Delphin, E., & Bennett, H. L. (2006) · Pediatric Anesthesia · doi:10.1111/j.1460-9592.2006.01914.x · Cited by 306
Rosenberg, J., Grantcharov, T., Bardram, L., & Funch-Jensen, P. M. (2003) · Surgical Endoscopy · doi:10.1007/s00464-002-9176-0 · Cited by 253
Blazing Angels or Resident Evil? Can Violent Video Games be a Force for Good?
Ferguson, C. J. (2010) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0018941 · Cited by 229
Sharar, S. R., Carrougher, G. J., Nakamura, D. Y., Hoffman, H. G., Blough, D. K., & Patterson, D. R. (2007) · Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2007.09.004 · Cited by 224
Redd, W. H., Jacobsen, P. B., Die‐Trill, M., Dermatis, H., McEvoy, M., & Holland, J. C. (1987) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.55.3.391 · Cited by 224
Schlickum, M. K., Hedman, L., Enochsson, L., Kjellin, A., & Felländer‐Tsai, L. (2009) · World Journal of Surgery · doi:10.1007/s00268-009-0151-y · Cited by 222
Journal of Ambulatory Care Management
Goldsmith, S. B., & Goldfield, N. (1992) · Journal for Healthcare Quality · doi:10.1097/01445442-199207000-00023 · Cited by 204
Sex roles: A journal of research
Katz, P. A. (1975) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/bf00287208 · Cited by 193
Health Promotion and Interactive Technology
Street, R. L., Gold, W. R., & Manning, T. R. (2013) · Routledge eBooks · doi:10.4324/9780203811047 · Cited by 191
Energy expenditure in adolescents playing new generation computer games
Graves, L., Stratton, G., Ridgers, N. D., & Cable, N. T. (2008) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.39469.677685.ad · Cited by 177
Redd, W. H., Jacobsen, P. B., Die-Trill, M., et al. (1987) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.55.3.391 · Cited by 173
Can Video Games be Used to Predict or Improve Laparoscopic Skills?
Rosenberg, B. H., Landsittel, D. P., & Averch, T. D. (2005) · Journal of Endourology · doi:10.1089/end.2005.19.372 · Cited by 165
Videogames and Young People with Developmental Disorders
Durkin, K. (2010) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0019438 · Cited by 161
PELVIC FLOOR MUSCLE RETRAINING FOR PEDIATRIC VOIDING DYSFUNCTION USING INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GAMES
McKenna, P. H., Herndon, C. D. A., CONNERY, S., & Ferrer, F. A. (1999) · The Journal of Urology · doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(01)68065-0 · Cited by 161
Vasterling, J. J., Jenkins, R. A., Tope, D. M., & Burish, T. G. (1993) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/bf00844755 · Cited by 151
Visuospatial skills and computer game experience influence the performance of virtual endoscopy
Enochsson, L., Isaksson, B., Tour, R., Kjellin, A., Hedman, L. R., Wredmark, T., & Felländer‐Tsai, L. (2004) · Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery · doi:10.1016/j.gassur.2004.06.015 · Cited by 138
Lieberman, D. A. (1997) · Cited by 133
An Interactive Computer-Animated System (SpiroGame) Facilitates Spirometry in Preschool Children
Vilozni, D., Barker, M., Jellouschek, H., Heimann, G., & Blau, H. (2001) · American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine · doi:10.1164/ajrccm.164.12.2101002 · Cited by 122
INTERACTIVE COMPUTER GAMES FOR TREATMENT OF PELVIC FLOOR DYSFUNCTION
Herndon, C. D. A., DeCambre, M. E., & McKenna, P. H. (2001) · The Journal of Urology · doi:10.1016/s0022-5347(05)65714-x · Cited by 115
Paepe, H. D., Renson, C., LAECKE, E. V., Raes, A. M., Walle, J. V., & Hoebeke, P. B. (2000) · British Journal of Urology · doi:10.1046/j.1464-410x.2000.00664.x · Cited by 112
Shane, M. D., Pettitt, B. J., Morgenthal, C. B., & Smith, C. D. (2007) · Surgical Endoscopy · doi:10.1007/s00464-007-9614-0 · Cited by 98
Widman, L. M., McDonald, C. M., & Abresch, R. T. (2006) · Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine · doi:10.1080/10790268.2006.11753884 · Cited by 95
Mann, B. D., Eidelson, B. M., Fukuchi, S. G., Nissman, S. A., Robertson, S. P., & Jardines, L. A. (2002) · The American Journal of Surgery · doi:10.1016/s0002-9610(02)00800-0 · Cited by 91
The Use of a Game to Promote Arm Reach in Persons With Traumatic Brain Injury
Sietsema, J. M., Nelson, D. L., Mulder, R. M., Mervau-Scheidel, D., & White, B. E. (1993) · American Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.5014/ajot.47.1.19 · Cited by 89
Evaluation of a Manual Wheelchair Interface to Computer Games
O'Connor, T. J., Cooper, R. A., Fitzgerald, S. G., Dvorznak, M. J., Boninger, M. L., VanSickle, D. P., & Glass, L. (2000) · Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · doi:10.1177/154596830001400103 · Cited by 87
Computer games as a means of movement rehabilitation
Krichevets, A. N., Сироткина, Е. Б., Yevsevicheva, I. V., & Зельдин, Л. М. (1995) · Disability and Rehabilitation · doi:10.3109/09638289509166635 · Cited by 87
Prior Video Game Exposure Does Not Enhance Robotic Surgical Performance
Harper, J. D., Kaiser, S., Ebrahimi, K. Y., Lamberton, G. R., Hadley, H. R., Ruckle, H. C., & Baldwin, D. D. (2007) · Journal of Endourology · doi:10.1089/end.2007.9905 · Cited by 72
Fukuchi, S. G., Offutt, L. A., Sacks, J., & Mann, B. D. (2000) · The American Journal of Surgery · doi:10.1016/s0002-9610(00)00339-1 · Cited by 64
Gender, Video Game Playing Habits and Visual Memory Tasks
Ferguson, C. J., Cruz, A. M., & Rueda, S. M. (2007) · Sex Roles · doi:10.1007/s11199-007-9332-z · Cited by 63
Kato, P. M., & Beale, I. L. (2006) · Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1177/1043454206289780 · Cited by 60
Self-citationPfister, Dacher, Gaucher, Liard‐Zmuda, Grise, & Mitrofanoff (1999) · British Journal of Urology · doi:10.1046/j.1464-410x.1999.00377.x · Cited by 54
Freedman, K., & Liu, M. H. (1996) · Educational Technology Research and Development · doi:10.1007/bf02300325 · Cited by 51
The GamecycleExercise System: Comparison With Standard Ergometry
Fitzgerald, S. G., Cooper, R. A., Thorman, T. A., Cooper, R., Guo, S., & Boninger, M. L. (2004) · Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine · doi:10.1080/10790268.2004.11752237 · Cited by 49
Hagen, M. E., Wagner, O. J., Inan, I., & Morel, P. (2009) · International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery · doi:10.1002/rcs.264 · Cited by 39
Leahy, A., Clayman, C., Mason, I., Lloyd, G., & Epstein, O. (1998) · Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of London · doi:10.1016/s0035-8819(25)01803-3 · Cited by 39
The Effects of Previously Acquired Skills on Sinus Surgery Simulator Performance
Glaser, A. Y., Hall, C. B., Uribe, J., & Fried, M. P. (2005) · Otolaryngology · doi:10.1016/j.otohns.2005.06.022 · Cited by 36
Westman, B., Ritter, E. M., Kjellin, A., Törkvist, L., Wredmark, T., Felländer‐Tsai, L., & Enochsson, L. (2006) · Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery · doi:10.1016/j.gassur.2005.08.014 · Cited by 33
Game-based mass casualty burn training.
Kurenov, S. N., Cance, W. W., Noel, B., & Mozingo, D. W. (2009) · PubMed · Cited by 28
Szer, J. (1983) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1983.tb136123.x · Cited by 26
'Mouse elbow': A new repetitive stress injury
Mirman, M. J. (1992) · Journal of Osteopathic Medicine · doi:10.7556/jaoa.1992.92.6.701a · Cited by 23
Pulse!!--A virtual learning space project.
Johnston, C. L., & Whatley, D. (2006) · PubMed · Cited by 12
Flagged first, then by citations
Research works printed but not linked: 3
- Freud A., 1968, International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 49, 165
- Kurenov S., 2009, Studies in Health Technology and Informatics, 142, 142
- Mead G., 1982, The individual and the social self: Unpublished essays by G. H. Mead
Cited by
Sorted by citations
The benefits of playing video games.
Granic, I., Lobel, A., & Engels, R. C. M. E. (2014) · American Psychologist · doi:10.1037/a0034857 · Cited by 2,456
The “I's” Have It: A Framework for Serious Educational Game Design
Annetta, L. A. (2010) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0018985 · Cited by 521
A meta-analysis of serious digital games for healthy lifestyle promotion
DeSmet, A., Van Ryckeghem, D., Compernolle, S., Baranowski, T., Thompson, D., Crombez, G., Poels, K., Van Lippevelde, W., Bastiaensens, S., Van Cleemput, K., et al. (2014) · Preventive Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2014.08.026 · Cited by 414
“…for these differences are as yet unclear (Baranowski et al., 2008; DeShazo et al., 2010; Gamberini et al., 2008; Guse et al., 2012; Guy et al., 2011; Kato, 2010; Kharrazi et al., 2012; Lu et al., 2012; Papastergiou, 2009; Primack et al., 2012; Rahmani and Boren, 2012; Wilkinson et al., 2008).”
BackgroundCurrent and Future Trends in Internet-Supported Mental Health Interventions
Barak, A., & Grohol, J. M. (2011) · Journal of Technology in Human Services · doi:10.1080/15228835.2011.616939 · Cited by 373
Is clinical virtual reality ready for primetime?
Rizzo, A. “., & Koenig, S. T. (2017) · Neuropsychology · doi:10.1037/neu0000405 · Cited by 372
Metadata
- Authors
- Kato, P. M.
- Affiliations
- University Medical Center Utrecht (NL)
- Corresponding author
- Kato, Pamela M.
- ORCID
- Kato, Pamela M.
- Venue
- Review of General Psychology
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2010-06
- Volume
- 14
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 113-121
- ISSN
- 1089-2680 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1552
- OpenAlex
- W2098691028
- Cited by
- 502
- References
- 66
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 21 · 2024: 25 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 28 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 43 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 48 · 2015: 52 · 2014: 47 · 2013: 40 · 2012: 23
- FWCI
- 51.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Review of General Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Digital Games and Media
- Keywords
- video games, health care, serious games, game-based training, surgical training, medical education, medication adherence, patient education, commercial video games, clinical skills training
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
