Effects of Exergaming on Cognitive Function in Older Adults with Dementia

Introduction. As the world population is ageing, it is expected that the number of many chronic diseases common for elderly age will rise, including different forms of dementias. Dementias are a global problem, considering there are no effective medication or cure to date, and there is a need to develop new tools that would be used to slow down or postpone symptoms, of which one of the most pronounced is cognitive decline. The use of exergaming has been proved to im- prove cognitive functioning in healthy elderly people and in those suffering from various diseases.Aim. The aim of this review was to present research on the impact of this intervention on the cognitive abilities of older adults suffering from dementia.Methods. A literature search was conducted in Pub-Med and Scopus for articles published between 2015 and February 7, 2025. Predefined search strings and inclusion/exclusion criteria based on the PICO frame- work were applied to identify relevant studies.Results. A total of 213 papers were identified through database search, using search strings. Following duplicate removal and study selection, 8 studies were included in this review.Conclusion. Only a few randomized controlled studies have been conducted researching into the effectiveness of exergaming on cognition in people with dementia. Findings indicate that exergaming may be a promising tool for improving cognition in this population, but more well-designed studies are needed to confirm its efficacy.