The Role of Serious Video Games in the Treatment of Disordered Eating Behaviors: Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Eating disorders and other forms of disordered eating cause significant complications and comorbidities in patients. However, full remission with current standard treatment remains low. Challenges to treatment include underdiagnosis and high dropout rates, as well as difficulties in addressing underlying emotion dysregulation, poor impulse control, and personality traits. Serious video games (SVGs), which have the advantages of being highly engaging and accessible, may be potential tools for delivering various forms of treatment in addressing the underlying psychopathology of disordered eating. Objective This review aims to provide an overview of the possible mechanisms by which SVGs may affect the clinical course of disordered eating, while evaluating the outcomes of studies that have assessed the role of SVGs in the treatment of disordered eating. Methods A systematic search was performed on PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase, using keywords related to SVGs, disordered eating, and eating disorders. A narrative synthesis was subsequently carried out. Results In total, 2151 papers were identified, of which 11 (0.51%) were included. Of these 11 studies, 10 (91%) were randomized controlled trials, and 1 (9%) was a quasi-experimental study. The types of SVG interventions varied across the studies and targeted different mechanisms of disordered eating, ranging from addressing problem-solving and emotion regulation skills to neurocognitive training for inhibitory control. Most (10/11, 91%) of the studies showed some benefit of the SVGs in improving certain physical, behavioral, or psychological outcomes related to disordered eating. Some (4/11, 36%) of the studies also showed encouraging evidence of the retention of these benefits at follow-up. Conclusions The studies included in this review provide collective evidence to suggest the various roles SVGs can play in plugging potential gaps in conventional therapy. Nonetheless, challenges exist in designing these games to prevent potential pitfalls, such as excessive stress arising from the SVGs themselves or potential gaming addiction. Further studies will also be required to assess the long-term benefits of SVGs as well as explore their potential preventive, and not just curative, effects on disordered eating.

Positive and Negative Aspects of Digital Games from the Perspective of Adolescents

“…Digital games have both negative and positive effects (Tablo 1). Studies have showed some benefits of the digital games in improving some problems (behavioral, physical or psychological) related to disordered eating (Tang et al, 2022). According to the meta-analysis study, it suggests that digital gaming interventions may be useful for reducing mental disease related symptoms (Lau et al, 2017).…”

“…Studying with digital tools (games, exercises) have promoted vocabulary knowledge (Sadan & Katzir, 2022). Digital games have some benefits although, it is quite difficult in designing digital games to prevent some risks, such as gaming addiction (Tang et al, 2022) and addiction is one of the most important negative effects of digital games. In a comparative study involving a number of European countries, computer games were found to be the most preferred interactive media device among children aged 6-16 (Fromme, 2003).…”