ArticleJMIR research protocols2025
Gamification in mHealth Apps for Rehabilitation: Protocol for a Scoping Review.
Article in JMIR research protocols, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Designing an mHealth App to Encourage Uptake of Muscle-Strengthening Exercise in Older Adults: Co-Design Focus Group Study.JMIR aging · 2026Article
- Traditional Rehabilitation Experiences, Unmet Needs, and Perspectives on Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation Among Patients With Stroke in China: Qualitative Thematic Analysis and Semistructured Interview Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe use of gamification in physical therapy mobile health interventions has increased rapidly in recent years, particularly with self-management of exercise in a home environment. Prior research has focused broadly on digital exergames, such as virtual reality or video games, or specifically on single concerns, such as stroke or musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
objectiveThis scoping review aims to identify studies that have implemented gamification in rehabilitative interventions through mobile apps to treat all conditions addressed by physical therapists. Characteristics related to the rehabilitative process, gamification elements, and patient-related outcomes will be examined.
methodsA literature search will be conducted on the following databases: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, PeDRO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Study inclusion criteria will be based on the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework, with publications describing the use of a gamified mobile app in a movement-based intervention in any area of physical therapy included. The reporting of results will adhere to PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews). A narrative synthesis of included publications will be performed.
resultsDatabase searches were completed in May 2024 and yielded 2148 publications, with an additional 49 records identified through manual searching of references. Title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction are expected to be completed by April 2025. The review is expected to be completed by September 2025.
conclusionsFindings from this scoping review will provide evidence on gamified mobile apps to assist physical rehabilitation professionals with decision-making on remote interventions. Understanding game elements used in rehabilitative mobile apps may enhance patient engagement and adherence, which may ultimately improve patient-related outcomes.
trial registrationOpen Science Framework fz9nq; https://osf.io/fz9nq.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.