Current Situation of Serious Games to Support Ecuadorian Health

This study examines the current state and impact of serious games in Ecuador's healthcare sector, focusing on their applications in medical education, rehabilitation, and behavioral change. Through a systematic review of articles published during the 2018-2024 period, the research highlights successful implementations, such as “ITaCaS” for sexual health education, “FarmFunTime”, “PICTOAPRENDE” for physical and cognitive rehabilitation and “Escape Room for Healthy Habits” to promote lifestyle changes. Despite these advances, challenges such as limited funding and cultural barriers hinder widespread adoption. The study identifies critical gaps in maternal health, chronic disease management, and elderly care, urging future efforts to prioritize low-resource adaptations, interdisciplinary collaboration, and longitudinal studies. The findings underscore the transformative potential of serious games in Ecuadorian healthcare while emphasizing the need for culturally tailored and scalable solutions to address systemic inequities.