Is using video games the same as using a clinical application in rehabilitation?
In recent years, the use of video games and interactive environments in rehabilitation has grown significantly. Their motivational appeal, interactivity, and ability to increase exercise repetition have supported their adoption across different clinical settings.
However, an important question arises for physiotherapists and clinical managers:
Is using a commercial video game truly equivalent to using a clinical application specifically designed for rehabilitation?
Answering this question requires distinguishing between technological motivation and structured therapeutic intervention.
Table of contents
What do we mean by video games in rehabilitation
When we refer to video games applied to rehabilitation, we generally mean:
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Commercial gaming consoles with motion sensors
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Interactive games used to promote physical activity
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Gamified applications designed for general exercise
Their primary purpose is entertainment or non-clinical exercise. Although they may involve movement and coordination, they are not designed as specific clinical tools.
What does a video game provide for the patient
From a clinical perspective, it is important to recognise that video games can:
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Increase motivation
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Support adherence
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Increase the number of repetitions
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Reduce the perception of monotony
These factors can be useful as a therapeutic complement. However, they do not in themselves determine the clinical quality or appropriateness of the treatment.
Clinical limitations of commercial video games
1. They do not allow for structured therapeutic prescription.
Video games are not designed to:
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Target specific functions or therapeutic goals
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Dose therapeutic load with precision
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Adapt to the patient’s clinical stage
Progression is typically based on game levels rather than on functional goals defined by the clinician.
2. They do not provide objective clinical measurement.
The available metrics are usually limited to:
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Score
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Play time
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Level achieved
They do not provide quantifiable clinical measures that are useful for functional assessment or therapeutic decision-making.
3. They are not designed as medical devices.
Most video games and exercise apps are not certified as medical devices nor developed within a clinical regulatory framework.
This implies that:
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They have not been specifically developed for patients.
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They do not incorporate formal risk management processes
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They are not intended for regulated healthcare use
From the perspective of professional responsibility and quality of care, this aspect is relevant.
What defines a clinical rehabilitation application
Objective measurement and reduction of subjectivity
A clinical rehabilitation application is characterised by:
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An explicit healthcare purpose.
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Design based on functional rehabilitation models
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Prescription and dosing defined by the clinician
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Objective measurement of performance
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Structured data recording
In this context, platforms such as Rehametrics are specifically designed for clinical use, enabling professional prescription, objective measurement, and longitudinal follow-up.
In addition, Rehametrics is a CE-marked medical device, certifying that it complies with European regulatory requirements for use in healthcare settings and providing assurance of safety and clinical performance.
An essential difference between a video game and a clinical application is the ability to obtain quantifiable and objective measures that are independent of the evaluator.
A clinical platform enables:
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Record movement accuracy
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Analyse reaction times
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Evaluar rangos funcionales
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Compare progress across sessions
This reduces inter-professional variability and improves the reliability of follow-up.
Longitudinal assessment of progress
Rehabilitation is not based solely on the isolated execution of an exercise, but on the patient’s progression over time.
A clinical application enables:
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Recording each session
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Analysing longitudinal progression.
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Detect plateaus
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Adjust the therapeutic plan
This approach aligns with the principles of evidence-based rehabilitation.
Immediate feedback and motor learning
El aprendizaje motor depende de:
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Structured repetition
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Controlled variability
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Immediate and specific feedback
Clinical applications provide precise feedback on movement quality, not just game-based rewards. This element is central to functional re-education.
Safety and environmental control
Clinical virtual environments are controlled and predictable. They allow patients to perform exercises without real risk of falling or injury, reducing fear of movement, particularly in neurological patients or those with balance impairments.
So, is using a video game in therapy the same as using a clinical virtual rehabilitation programme?
The clinical answer is clear: it is not the same.
Video games can be useful as a motivational tool or occasional complement.
However, a clinical application:
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is designed with an explicit healthcare purpose.
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allows professional prescription
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provides objective measurement
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facilitates longitudinal follow-up
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should be certified as a medical device.
Confusing these two approaches can dilute standards of care and create inappropriate expectations.