Current Evidence on Exergaming Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is characterized by symptoms causing functional impairment in children and adolescents. For the clinical management of this condition, increasing physical activity is recommended in addition to the usual treatment with medication and/or behavioral interventions. Exergaming is active video gaming that requires full-body movements to control on-screen actions, integrating physical activity into the gaming context. For children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, traditional forms of exercising can be challenging to sustain due to challenges with motivation, impulse control, and maintaining focus. Exergaming might address these challenges by incorporating game-based rewards and appealing activities with gamified elements that can make physical activity sustainable. By reviewing currently available research, this paper aims to evaluate the feasibility and benefits of exergaming as a way to promote physical activity among children and adolescents with ADHD.