Virtual reality games
Virtual reality games has been studied in 5 papers since 2017: 1 trial in people, 3 reviews; 1 in the past year. The newest paper, Nov 7, 2025: “Effectiveness of VR-based cognitive training and games on cognitive rehabilitation in patients with MCI: a systematic review and meta-analysis”.
5 papers study it3 findingsUpdated
“We found significant (p < .001) pre-post improvements in balance abilities in the experimental group and no significant pre-post change in the control group (p < .77).”
None of its findings points the other way.
- 2 independent labs in 2 countries
- Funder: National Office for Philosophy and Social Sciences
- Human trial1
Studies in people
1 study gave virtual reality games to people and measured what changed.
up: Improves balancep < .001
Randomized trial31 peoplesix weeks
Mild-moderate IDD who had fallen at least twice in the year prior
Perceptual and motor skills, Oct 9, 2021
What did studies of Virtual reality games find?
2Studies of Virtual reality games measured 2 outcomes; the most studied are cognitive function (2 studies) and balance (1).
Cognitive function
upin humans2
2 studies
Cognitive function
upin humans2
Virtual reality games improve cognitive function in humans (Hedges's g = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.24, p = 0.02).
“Specifically, VR-based games (Hedges's g = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.24, p = 0.02) showed greater advantages in improving cognitive impairments”
Reviewmild cognitive impairment
Frontiers in neurology
Virtual reality games improve cognitive function in humans (Hedges’s g = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.24, p = 0.02).
“Specifically, VR-based games (Hedges’s g = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.12 to 1.24, p = 0.02) showed greater advantages in improving cognitive impairments compared to VR-based cognitive training”
ReviewMCI
Preprint
Balance
upin humans1
1 study
Balance
upin humans1
Virtual reality games improve balance in humans (p < .001).
“We found significant (p < .001) pre-post improvements in balance abilities in the experimental group and no significant pre-post change in the control group (p < .77).”
Human trialmild-moderate IDD who had fallen at least twice in the year priorSeeMe virtual game systemsix weeksn = 31
Improving Balance in Adults With Intellectual Developmental Disorder via Virtual Environments
Perceptual and motor skills