Gamification as Intervention Strategy for Neuropsychological Rehabilitation

Gamification can be defined as the use of game elements in non-entertainment contexts with the aim of enhancing users’ engagement. The fact that games are naturally appealing helps to introduce extra motivation in therapeutic and health promotion contexts. Thus, different tools have been used for psychological and neurological rehabilitation purposes, as well for promoting healthy lifestyles. Gamification sets meaningful goals, and provides immediate feedback and achievement indicators. All these factors encourage patients’ participation, modifying their role from a passive to an active one. Moreover, gamified techniques can provide a social platform to interact with other patients and healthcare providers. Gamification has been used successfully for the rehabilitation of patients suffering congenital or acquired brain injury, neurodegenerative diseases, as well as for monitoring patients’ evolution, improving treatment adherence, and promoting healthy behaviors.

The aim of the present Research Topic is to provide new evidence on the effectiveness of gamified techniques for neuropsychological rehabilitation. We welcome submissions of manuscripts dealing with (but not limited to): neuropsychological intervention in patients suffering from congenital or acquired brain injury, as well as neurodegenerative diseases through the use of mobile apps, active videogames, exergames, virtual reality and traditional board games.

We encourage researchers from different backgrounds to contribute studies dealing with the above mentioned (and similar) topics. Contributions of multidisciplinary teams including research studies using both new technologies and traditional methods are welcome. Both theoretical manuscripts and empirical studies in the form of Original Research, Reviews and Perspectives articles will be considered in this Research Topic.