Exergames in Mental Health (PHYSIOGAME)

University of Salamanca

Status: Begins enrollment this month

Conditions: Mental Disorders

Treatments: Procedure: EXERCISE TRAINING WITH OR WITHOUT MEDICATION; Other: Control

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07387757

MENTALHEALTH2026

Details and patient eligibility

About

Mental health and stress-related disorders have a growing impact on physical functioning, motivation, and participation in daily activities. Several studies indicate that integrating physical therapy into mental health programs improves functional status, reduces associated physical symptoms (fatigue, muscle tension, somatization), and promotes emotional regulation through movement. However, its implementation in clinical services remains limited. This project proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of an innovative mental health-oriented physical therapy program using active video games (exergames) on the Nintendo Switch platform, an accessible, motivating tool that can be adapted to each patient's functional level.

Objective: To determine whether a structured physiotherapy program based on exergames promotes physical exercise, improves quality of life, and increases therapeutic adherence in patients with mental illness.

Methods: An experimental pilot study will be conducted, implementing an intervention over 4 weeks, with 2 sessions per week lasting 40 minutes. Participants (n=12) will be assigned to an intervention group (exergames with Nintendo Switch) or a control group (usual routine). Quality of life, motivation, and therapeutic adherence will be assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, and a satisfaction questionnaire.

Expected results: The intervention group is expected to show better quality of life, greater motivation to exercise, and greater adherence to treatment. It is also expected to demonstrate that exergames are a viable tool, accepted by patients and incorporable into mental health physical therapy programs.

Enrollment: 12 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 65 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults between 18 and 65 years of age.
• Clinical diagnosis of mental illness.
• Psychopharmacological stability for at least 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
• Ability to perform light-moderate physical exercise.
• Written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Severe psychiatric diagnoses with psychotic involvement or high suicide risk.
• Neurological or musculoskeletal conditions that limit the safe practice of exercise.
• Active substance use that interferes with the intervention.
• Moderate-severe cognitive impairment.
• Recent participation (<3 months) in other intervention studies.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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12 participants in 2 patient groups

Exergames

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will undergo physical therapy based on active video games using the Nintendo Switch, with games selected for their ability to promote physical activity: * Ring Fit Adventure (guided training, integrated breathing). * Nintendo Switch Sports (overall movement, coordination). * Just Dance (motivational cardiovascular activation).

Treatment:

Other: Control

Conventional

Active Comparator group

Description:

This group will continue to carry out the usual intervention

Treatment:

Procedure: EXERCISE TRAINING WITH OR WITHOUT MEDICATION