Videogames as Therapy: An Updated Selective Review of the Medical and Psychological Literature
Abstract
There is a long history of using videogames in a therapeutic capacity including rehabilitation for stroke patients, people with traumatic brain injuries, burns victims, wheelchair users, Erb's palsy sufferers, children undergoing chemotherapy, children with muscular dystrophy, autistic children and individuals looking to overcome real-life challenges (including symptoms of depression) and boost their wellbeing (including boosting life satisfaction, self-efficacy and social support). This paper briefly and selectively examines a number of areas including: (1) videogames as physiotherapy and occupational therapy, (2) videogames as distractors in the role of pain management, (3) videogames and cognitive rehabilitation, (4) videogames and the development of social and communication skills among the learning disabled, (5) videogames and impulsivity/attention deficit disorders, (6) videogames and therapeutic benefits in the elderly, (7) videogames in psychotherapeutic settings, (8) videogames and health care, (9) videogames and anxiety disorders, and (10) videogames and psychological wellbeing. It is concluded that there has been considerable success when games are specifically designed to address a specific problem or to teach a certain skill. However, generalizability outside the game-playing situation remains an important consideration.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
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?
Mental health apps provide a potential way to reduce symptoms and increase adherence by dispensing psychoeducation and therapeutic skills through an accessible electronic format.
“Mental health apps provide a potential way to reduce symptoms and increase adherence by dispensing psychoeducation and other therapeutic skills through an electronic, easily accessible format [26-34].”
From Examining the effectiveness of gamification in mental health apps for depression: Systematic review and meta-analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [32]
Cites
The CES-D Scale: A Self-Report Depression Scale for Research in the General Population
Radloff, L. S. (1977) · Applied Psychological Measurement · doi:10.1177/014662167700100306 · Cited by 53,267 · see citing works
Anderson, C. A., & Bushman, B. J. (2001) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1111/1467-9280.00366 · Cited by 2,219 · see citing works
A meta-analysis of the cognitive and motivational effects of serious games.
Wouters, P., van Nimwegen, C., van Oostendorp, H., & van der Spek, E. D. (2013) · Journal of Educational Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0031311 · Cited by 1,864 · see citing works
The Psycho-Analysis of Children.
(1933) · JAMA · doi:10.1001/jama.1933.02740110057038 · Cited by 1,025 · see citing works
Virtual reality exposure therapy for anxiety disorders: A meta-analysis
Powers, M. B., & Emmelkamp, P. M. G. (2008) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2007.04.006 · Cited by 904 · see citing works
Kato, P. M., Cole, S. W., Bradlyn, A. S., & Pollock, B. H. (2008) · Pediatrics · doi:10.1542/peds.2007-3134 · Cited by 802 · see citing works
Effect of action video games on the spatial distribution of visuospatial attention.
Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2006) · Journal of Experimental Psychology Human Perception & Performance · doi:10.1037/0096-1523.32.6.1465 · Cited by 777 · see citing works
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Vietnam Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Rothbaum, B. O., Hodges, L. F., Ready, D. J., Graap, K. M., & Alarcón, R. D. (2001) · The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry · doi:10.4088/jcp.v62n0808 · Cited by 531 · see citing works
Video Games in Health Care: Closing the Gap
Kato, P. M. (2010) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0019441 · Cited by 502 · see citing works
A controlled study of virtual reality exposure therapy for the fear of flying.
Rothbaum, B. O., Hodges, L., Smith, S., Lee, J. H., & Price, L. (2000) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.68.6.1020 · Cited by 501 · see citing works
Virtual reality exposure therapy of anxiety disorders: A review
Krijn, M., Emmelkamp, P. M. G., Olafsson, R. P., & Biemond, R. (2004) · Clinical Psychology Review · doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2004.04.001 · Cited by 492 · see citing works
Virtual reality in the treatment of spider phobia: a controlled study
Garcia-Palacios, A., Hoffman, H., Carlin, A., Furness, T. A., & Botella, C. (2002) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7967(01)00068-7 · Cited by 490 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
Effect of video game practice on spatial skills in girls and boys
Subrahmanyam, K., & Greenfield, P. M. (1994) · Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1016/0193-3973(94)90004-3 · Cited by 459 · see citing works
Reijnders, J. S. A. M., Heugten, C. M. V., & van Boxtel, M. P. J. (2012) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.arr.2012.07.003 · Cited by 441 · see citing works
Holmes, E. A., James, E. L., Coode-Bate, T., & Deeprose, C. (2009) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0004153 · Cited by 416 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
Housman, S. J., Scott, K. M., & Reinkensmeyer, D. J. (2009) · Neurorehabilitation and neural repair · doi:10.1177/1545968308331148 · Cited by 370 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
James, E. L., Bonsall, M. B., Hoppitt, L., Tunbridge, E. M., Geddes, J. R., Milton, A. L., & Holmes, E. A. (2015) · Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/0956797615583071 · Cited by 333 · see citing works
Non-pharmacological interventions for assisting the induction of anaesthesia in children
Manyande, A., Cyna, A. M., Yip, P., Chooi, C., & Middleton, P. (2015) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006447.pub3 · Cited by 324 · see citing works
Loh, Y. J., Tjan, S.-Y., Xu, D.-M., Thia, E., Fen, C. P., Kuah, C. W. K., & Kong, K. (2010) · Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine · doi:10.2340/16501977-0528 · Cited by 322 · see citing works
Treatment of acrophobia in virtual reality: The role of immersion and presence
Krijn, M., Emmelkamp, P. M. G., Biemond, R., de Wilde de Ligny, C., Schuemie, M. J., & van der Mast, C. A. P. G. (2004) · Behaviour Research and Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7967(03)00139-6 · Cited by 320 · see citing works
Tanaka, J. W., Wolf, J. M., Klaiman, C., Koenig, K., Cockburn, J., Herlihy, L., Brown, C., Stahl, S., Kaiser, M. D., & Schultz, R. T. (2010) · Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2010.02258.x · Cited by 318 · see citing works
Schoene, D., Lord, S. R., Delbaere, K., Severino, C., Davies, T. A., & Smith, S. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057734 · Cited by 275 · see citing works
Roepke, A. M., Jaffee, S. R., Riffle, O. M., McGonigal, J., Broome, R., & Maxwell, B. (2015) · Games for Health Journal · doi:10.1089/g4h.2014.0046 · Cited by 265 · see citing works
Games for Health for Children—Current Status and Needed Research
Baranowski, T., Blumberg, F. C., Buday, R., DeSmet, A., Fiellin, L. E., Green, C. S., Kato, P. M., Lu, A. S., Maloney, A. E., Mellecker, R. R., et al. (2015) · Games for Health Journal · doi:10.1089/g4h.2015.0026 · Cited by 245 · see citing works
An Experimental Study on Fear of Public Speaking Using a Virtual Environment
Slater, M., Pertaub, D.-P., Barker, C., & Clark, D. M. (2006) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.627 · Cited by 239 · see citing works
Yavuzer, G., Senel, A., Atay, M. B., & Stam, H. J. (2008) · PubMed · Cited by 238 · see citing works
Video games as a tool to train visual skills
Achtman, R. L., Green, C. S., & Bavelier, D. (2008) · Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience · doi:10.3233/rnn-2008-00424 · Cited by 231 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
Development of an Interactive Game-Based Rehabilitation Tool for Dynamic Balance Training
Lange, B. S., Flynn, S. M., Proffitt, R. M., Chang, C., & Rizzo, A. (2010) · Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation · doi:10.1310/tsr1705-345 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
THE TRAINING AND GENERALIZATION OF SOCIAL INTERACTION SKILLS WITH AUTISTIC YOUTH
Gaylord‐Ross, R., Haring, T. G., Breen, C. G., & Pitts‐Conway, V. (1984) · Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis · doi:10.1901/jaba.1984.17-229 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Goldstein, J. H., Cajko, L., Oosterbroek, M., Michielsen, M., Houten, O. V., & Salverda, F. (1997) · Social Behavior and Personality An International Journal · doi:10.2224/sbp.1997.25.4.345 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
Impact of an Active Video Game on Healthy Children’s Physical Activity
Baranowski, T., Abdelsamad, D., Baranowski, J. C., O’Connor, T. M., Thompson, D. I., Barnett, A. H., Cerin, E., & Chen, T. A. (2012) · PEDIATRICS · doi:10.1542/peds.2011-2050 · Cited by 193 · see citing works
Effect of Playing a Video Game on a Measure of Spatial Visualization
Dorval, M., & Pépin, M. (1986) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/pms.1986.62.1.159 · Cited by 181 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
Fitzgerald, D., Trakarnratanakul, N., Smyth, B., & Caulfield, B. M. (2009) · Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy · doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3121 · Cited by 169 · see citing works
Jannink, M. J. A., van der Wilden, G. J., Navis, D. W., Visser, G., Gussinklo, J., & IJzerman, M. J. (2008) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/cpb.2007.0014 · Cited by 168 · see citing works
Virtual reality in the treatment of claustrophobic fear: A controlled, multiple-baseline design
Botella, C., Baños, R., Villa, H., Perpiñá, C., & García‐Palacios, A. (2000) · Behavior Therapy · doi:10.1016/s0005-7894(00)80032-5 · Cited by 161 · see citing works
Electronic Media–Based Health Interventions Promoting Behavior Change in Youth
Hieftje, K. D., Edelman, E. J., Camenga, D. R., & Fiellin, L. E. (2013) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.1095 · Cited by 158 · see citing works
Ceranoglu, T. A. (2010) · Review of General Psychology · doi:10.1037/a0019439 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Applications of virtual reality for pain management in burn-injured patients
Sharar, S. R., Miller, W. M., Teeley, A., Soltani, M., Hoffman, H. G., Jensen, M. P., & Patterson, D. R. (2008) · Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics · doi:10.1586/14737175.8.11.1667 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Thomas, R., Cahill, J., & Santilli, L. A. (1997) · Health Education & Behavior · doi:10.1177/109019819702400108 · Cited by 154 · see citing works
Vasterling, J. J., Jenkins, R. A., Tope, D. M., & Burish, T. G. (1993) · Journal of Behavioral Medicine · doi:10.1007/bf00844755 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Miller, D. J., & Robertson, D. P. (2009) · British Journal of Educational Technology · doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00918.x · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Vincelli, F., Anolli, L., Bouchard, S., Wiederhold, B. K., Zurloni, V., & Riva, G. (2003) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/109493103322011632 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Computer Games for the Frail Elderly
Weisman, S. (1983) · The Gerontologist · doi:10.1093/geront/23.4.361 · Cited by 144 · see citing works
Virtual Rehabilitation in an Activity Centre for Community-Dwelling Persons with Stroke
Broeren, J., Claesson, L., Goude, D., Rydmark, M., & Sunnerhagen, K. S. (2008) · Cerebrovascular Diseases · doi:10.1159/000149576 · Cited by 141 · see citing works
A Systematic Review of Health Videogames on Childhood Obesity Prevention and Intervention
Lu, A. S., Kharrazi, H. H. K., Gharghabi, F., & Thompson, D. I. (2013) · Games for Health Journal · doi:10.1089/g4h.2013.0025 · Cited by 137 · see citing works
Interactivity and reward-related neural activation during a serious videogame
Cole, S. W., Yoo, D. J., & Knutson, B. (2012) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0033909 · Cited by 130 · see citing works
Effects of a Pediatric Weight Management Program With and Without Active Video Games
Trost, S. G., Sundal, D., Foster, G. D., Lent, M. R., & Vojta, D. D. (2014) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.3436 · Cited by 123 · see citing works
Efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy to treat driving phobia: a case report
Wald, J., & Taylor, S. J. (2000) · Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0005-7916(01)00009-x · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Personal Investigator: A therapeutic 3D game for adolecscent psychotherapy
Coyle, D., Matthews, M., Sharry, J., Nisbet, A., & Doherty, G. (2005) · Interactive Technology and Smart Education · doi:10.1108/17415650580000034 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
The Effects of Videogame Playing on Neuropsychological Performance of Elderly Individuals
Dustman, R. E., Emmerson, R. Y., Steinhaus, L. A., Shearer, D. E., & Dustman, T. J. (1992) · Journal of Gerontology · doi:10.1093/geronj/47.3.p168 · Cited by 114 · see citing works
Effective Intervention or Child's Play? A Review of Video Games for Diabetes Education
DeShazo, J. P., Harris, L. T., & Pratt, W. (2010) · Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics · doi:10.1089/dia.2010.0030 · Cited by 113 · see citing works
Energy Expenditure in Adults With Cerebral Palsy Playing Wii Sports
Hurkmans, H. L. P., van den Berg-Emons, R. J. G., & Stam, H. J. (2010) · Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2010.07.216 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
Huber, M. E., Rabin, B. A., Docan, C., Burdea, G., AbdelBaky, M., & Golomb, M. R. (2010) · IEEE Transactions on Information Technology in Biomedicine · doi:10.1109/titb.2009.2038995 · Cited by 102 · see citing works
Non-pharmacological interventions for assisting the induction of anaesthesia in children
Yip, P., Middleton, P., Cyna, A. M., & Carlyle, A. V. (2009) · Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews · doi:10.1002/14651858.cd006447.pub2 · Cited by 96 · see citing works
Okolo, C. M. (1992) · Exceptionality · doi:10.1080/09362839209524815 · Cited by 94 · see citing works
Viability of virtual reality exposure therapy as a treatment alternative
Bush, J. (2007) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2007.03.006 · Cited by 93 · see citing works
Definition of a VR-Based Protocol to Treat Social Phobia
Roy, S., Klinger, É., Légeron, P., Lauer, F., Chemin, I., & Nugues, P. (2003) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/109493103322278808 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
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 · see citing works
Reichlin, L., Mani, N., Mcarthur, K., Harris, A. M., Rajan, N., & Dacso, C. C. (2011) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.1519 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Kolko, D. J., & Rickard-Figueroa, J. L. (1985) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-006x.53.2.223 · Cited by 84 · see citing works
Can the Mario Bros. help? Nintendo games as an adjunct in psychotherapy with children.
Gardner, J. E. (1991) · Psychotherapy · doi:10.1037/0033-3204.28.4.667 · Cited by 83 · see citing works
Leibovici, V., Magora, F., Cohen, S. E., & Ingber, A. (2009) · Pain Research and Management · doi:10.1155/2009/178751 · Cited by 82 · see citing works
Video games as research tools: The Space Fortress game
Donchin, E. (1995) · Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers · doi:10.3758/bf03204735 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Wohlheiter, K. A., & Dahlquist, L. M. (2012) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jss108 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Treasure Hunt - a serious game to support psychotherapeutic treatment of children
Brezinka, V. (2008) · PubMed · doi:10.5167/uzh-6907 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Computerized respiratory muscle training in children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Vilozni, D., Bar‐Yishay, E., Gur, I., Shapira, Y., Meyer, S., & Godfrey, S. (1994) · Neuromuscular Disorders · doi:10.1016/0960-8966(94)90026-4 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Task-Specific Rehabilitation of Finger-Hand Function Using Interactive Computer Gaming
Szturm, T. J., Peters, J. F., Otto, C., Kapadia, N. M., & Desai, A. (2008) · Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation · doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2008.04.021 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Game Transfer Phenomena in Video Game Playing
de Gortari, A. B. O., Aronsson, K., & Griffiths, M. D. (2011) · International Journal of Cyber Behavior Psychology and Learning · doi:10.4018/ijcbpl.2011070102 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Self-citationEffectiveness of a Brain-Computer Interface Based Programme for the Treatment of ADHD: A Pilot Study
Lim, C. G., Lee, T.-S. W., Guan, C., Fung, D. S. S., Cheung, Y. B., Teng, S. S. W., Zhang, H., & Krishnan, K. (2025) · Psychopharmacology Bulletin · doi:10.64719/pb.4281 · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Survey of Pain Management Therapy Provided for Children With Sickle Cell Disease
Pegelow, C. H. (1992) · Clinical Pediatrics · doi:10.1177/000992289203100404 · Cited by 69 · see citing works
Kolko, D. J., & Rickard-Figueroa, J. L. (1985) · Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-006x.53.2.223 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Eow, Y. L., Ali, W. Z. B. W., Mahmud, R. B., & Baki, R. (2009) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2009.07.019 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
Weightman, A., Preston, N., Holt, R. J., Allsop, M. J., Levesley, M. C., & Bhakta, B. (2008) · Journal of Engineering Design · doi:10.1080/09544820802441092 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Playing Tetris decreases drug and other cravings in real world settings
Skorka-Brown, J., Andrade, J., Whalley, B., & May, J. (2015) · Addictive Behaviors · doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.07.020 · Cited by 61 · see citing works
Playing ‘Tetris’ reduces the strength, frequency and vividness of naturally occurring cravings
Skorka-Brown, J., Andrade, J., & May, J. (2014) · Appetite · doi:10.1016/j.appet.2014.01.073 · Cited by 58 · see citing works
Cameirão, M. S., Badia, S. B. I., Zimmerli, L., Duarte, E., & Verschure, P. F. M. J. (2007) · International Conference on Virtual Rehabilitation · doi:10.1109/icvr.2007.4362125 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Fung, V., So, K., Park, E., Ho, A., Shaffer, J., Chan, E., & Gómez, M. (2010) · Journal of Burn Care & Research · doi:10.1097/bcr.0b013e3181eed23c · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Videogame-based coordinative training can improve advanced, multisystemic early-onset ataxia
Synofzik, M., Schatton, C., Giese, M. A., Wolf, J., Schöls, L. J., & Ilg, W. (2013) · Journal of Neurology · doi:10.1007/s00415-013-7087-8 · Cited by 55 · see citing works
Improving the Quality of Life for Residents of Long Term Care Facilities Through Video Games
McGuire, F. A. (1984) · Activities Adaptation & Aging · doi:10.1300/j016v06n01_01 · Cited by 54 · see citing works
Using computers for the treatment of psychological problems
Lawrence, G. H. (1986) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/0747-5632(86)90021-x · Cited by 53 · see citing works
Cognitive Development: Gaming Your Way Out of Dyslexia?
Bavelier, D., Green, C. S., & Seidenberg, M. S. (2013) · Current Biology · doi:10.1016/j.cub.2013.02.051 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Can Videogames be Good for Your Health?
Griffiths, M. D. (2004) · Journal of Health Psychology · doi:10.1177/1359105304042344 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Self-citationPositive Effects of Entertainment Technology on Human Behaviour
Matthias Rauterberg, A. (2008) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8157-6_8 · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Diagnosis and management of video game addiction
Griffiths (2008) · Nottingham Trent University's Institutional Repository (Nottingham Trent Repository) · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Playing for a Real Bonus: Videogames to Empower Elderly People
Gamberini, L., Alcañíz, M., Barresi, G., Fabregat, M. E., Prontu, L., & Seraglia, B. (2008) · Padua Research Archive (University of Padova) · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Clinical and Neurobiological Perspectives of Empowering Pediatric Cancer Patients Using Videogames
Govender, M., Bowen, R. C., German, M. L., Bulaj, G. W., & Bruggers, C. S. (2015) · Games for Health Journal · doi:10.1089/g4h.2015.0014 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Hollingsworth, M., & Woodward, J. P. (1993) · Exceptional Children · doi:10.1177/001440299305900507 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Video Games: A Training and Generalization Demonstration with Severely Retarded Adolescents
Sedlak, R. A., Doyle, M., & Schloss, P. (1982) · Education and training of the mentally retarded · doi:10.1177/001312378201700415 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Chandrasekharan, S., Mazalek, A., Nitsche, M., Chen, Y., & Ranjan, A. (2010) · Pragmatics & Cognition · doi:10.1075/pc.18.2.04cha · Cited by 41 · see citing works
The video invasion of rehabilitation
Adriaenssens, P., Eggermont, E., Pyck, K., Boeckx, W. D., & Gilles, B. O. (1988) · Burns · doi:10.1016/0305-4179(88)90015-0 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
PSYCHOLOGY OF COMPUTERS: XIV. COGNITIVE REHABILITATION THROUGH COMPUTER GAMES
Larose, S., Gagnon, S., Ferland, C., & PEPIN, M. (1989) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/pms.1989.69.3.851 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Virtual Reality Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Due to Motor Vehicle Accident
Wiederhold, B. K., & Wiederhold, M. D. (2010) · Cyberpsychology Behavior and Social Networking · doi:10.1089/cyber.2009.0394 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Hand Strengthening With a Computer for Purposeful Activity
King, T. I. (1993) · American Journal of Occupational Therapy · doi:10.5014/ajot.47.7.635 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Evaluation of Computer Games' Impact upon Cognitively Impaired Frail Elderly
Msw, M. F., Msw, R. B., Resnick, H., & Stabler, N. (2008) · doi:10.1300/j407v11n01_20 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Eow, Y. L., Ali, W. Z. B. W., Mahmud, R. B., & Baki, R. (2010) · Computers & Education · doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2010.05.011 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
An Innovative Therapy and Enrichment Program for Senior Adults Utilizing the Personal Computer
Hollander, E. K., & Plummer, H. R. (1986) · Activities Adaptation & Aging · doi:10.1300/j016v08n01_08 · Cited by 37 · see citing works
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy: 150-Degree Screen to Desktop PC
Tichon, J., & Banks, J. (2006) · CyberPsychology & Behavior · doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9.480 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Star Wars in Psychotherapy: Video Games in the Office
Ceranoglu, T. A. (2010) · Academic Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/appi.ap.34.3.233 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Videogame assisted emotional regulation training: an act with RAGE-Control case illustration
Ducharme, P., Wharff, E., Hutchinson, E., Kahn, J., Logan, G., & Gonzalez-Heydrich, J. (2012) · Clinical Social Work Journal · doi:10.1007/s10615-011-0363-0 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Horn, E. M., Jones, H. A., & Hamlett, C. L. (1991) · Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities · doi:10.1177/154079699101600205 · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Szer, J. (1983) · The Medical Journal of Australia · doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.1983.tb136123.x · Cited by 26 · see citing works
Schueren, B. (1986) · Activities Adaptation & Aging · doi:10.1300/j016v08n01_07 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
Videogame Addiction: Fact or Fiction?
Griffiths, M. D. (2007) · doi:10.1002/9780470696682.ch4 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Self-citationExperiences Using a PC in Play Therapy with Children
Acsw, R. K. (2008) · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Children and Electronic Games in the United States.
Funk, J. B., Bermann, J. N., & Buchman, D. D. (1997) · Trends in Communication · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Cognitive retraining using microcomputer games and commercially available software.
Lynch, W. J. (1983) · Cited by 18 · see citing works
The Effect of Computerized Simulation Games on the Moral Development of Youth in Distress
Sherer, M. (1995) · Journal of Technology in Human Services · doi:10.1300/j407v11n01_08 · Cited by 16 · see citing works
Therapeutic Applications of Commercially Available Computer Software
Ba, M. G. K. F. (2008) · doi:10.1300/j407v11n01_14 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Use of Computers Following Brain Injury
Fisher, S. (1986) · Activities Adaptation & Aging · doi:10.1300/j016v08n01_10 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Attitude of Schizophrenics to Computer Videogames
Samoilovich, S. R., Riccitelli, C., Schiel, A., & Siedi, A. (2010) · Psychopathology · doi:10.1159/000284761 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Memory for Goblins: A Computer Game for Assessing and Training Working Memory Skill
Ryan, E. B. (2008) · doi:10.1300/j407v11n01_19 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Employing Access to the Computer as a Reinforcer for Secondary Students
Salend, S. J., & Santora, D. (1985) · Behavioral Disorders · doi:10.1177/019874298501100108 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Computer games to enhance adolescent sex education.
Starn, J. R., & Paperny, D. M. N. (1990) · PubMed · Cited by 11 · see citing works
The microcomputer as an agent of intervention with psychiatric patients: preliminary studies
Matthews, T. J., Santi, S. M. D., Callahan, D., Koblenz-Sulcov, C. J., & Werden, J. I. (1987) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/0747-5632(87)90009-4 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Riddick, C. C., Spector, S. G., & Drogin, E. B. (1986) · Activities Adaptation & Aging · doi:10.1300/j016v08n01_11 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Computer Technology and the Aged: Implications and Applications for Activity Programs
Hayslip, B. (1986) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/0747-5632(86)90033-6 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Behavioral Management of Exceptional Children Using Video Games as Reward
Buckalew, L. W., & Buckalew, P. B. (1983) · Perceptual and Motor Skills · doi:10.2466/pms.1983.56.2.580 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
LIFE CHOICES—The Program and Its Users
Thomas, D. (2008) · Cited by 5 · see citing works
A Computerized Marijuana Decision Maze: Expert Opinion regarding its Use in Health Education
Henningson, K. A., Gold, R. S., & Duncan, D. F. (1986) · Journal of Drug Education · doi:10.2190/naq3-4xqc-93fu-g8me · Cited by 5 · see citing works
de Gortari, A. B. O., & Griffiths, M. D. (2016) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00260 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citationComputer Games to Enhance Adolescent Sex Education
&NA; (1990) · MCN The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing · doi:10.1097/00005721-199007000-00011 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Six, S. G., Byrne, K. A., Tibbett, T. P., & Pericot-Valverde, I. (2021) · JMIR Mental Health · doi:10.2196/32199 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
Yılmaz, E., & Griffiths, M. D. (2023) · Education and Information Technologies · doi:10.1007/s10639-023-11663-2 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Self-citationTullett-Prado, D., Schivinski, B., Poulus, D., Griffiths, M. D., & Stavropoulos, V. (2025) · Behaviour and Information Technology · doi:10.1080/0144929x.2025.2504510 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Self-citationLa Video Game Therapy® Un approccio innovativo integrato
Bocci, F., & Girelli, A. (2024) · RIVISTA SPERIMENTALE DI FRENIATRIA · doi:10.3280/rsf2024-003006 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Nkiko, C. M., & Kuss, D. J. (2026) · Addiction & Prevention · doi:10.3390/addictprev1010002
Self-citation
- Authors
- Griffiths, M. D., Kuss, D. J., & Ortiz de Gortari, A. B.
- Affiliations
- Nottingham Trent University (GB)
- Nottingham Trent University, UK & University of Liège, Belgium
- Venue
- Alternative Pain Management
- Publisher
- IGI Global
- Published
- 2020
- Pages
- 324-363
- OpenAlex
- W4211101332
- Cited by
- 5
- References
- 128
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2021: 1
- FWCI
- 0.97
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- IGI Global eBooks (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Games and Gamification
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Digital Mental Health Interventions
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
- Keywords
- video games, serious games, therapeutic use of games, rehabilitation, cognitive rehabilitation, pain management, distraction therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, attention deficit disorder, impulsivity, older adults, psychotherapy, anxiety disorders, psychological well-being, depression, self-efficacy, social support, life satisfaction
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
