Effects of exergames on the physical and cognitive performance of residents of long-term care facilities for older people: an umbrella review

OBJECTIVE: This "umbrella" review analyzed the effects of exergame training on the physical and cognitive performance of residents of long-term care facilities for older people (ILPI). METHODS: The search, based on the PICO mnemonic (P: older people residing in ILPI, I: exergames, C: control or usual care and O: physical and cognitive performance), was conducted on 19/03/2025 and covered eight databases. Four systematic reviews with meta-analysis, of varying methodological quality, were included. RESULTS: Benefits were observed in balance and mobility, with very low/low certainty of evidence due to the risk of bias in the primary studies, heterogeneity and imprecision of the meta-analyzed data. In contrast, an effect of moderate/large magnitude was observed on muscle strength and global cognition, with moderate confidence in these results. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high overlap of primary studies, it is concluded that exergames are promising tools for use in the context of ILPI. The need for clinical trials with greater methodological rigor to investigate specific cognitive domains and consolidate training protocols is emphasized.