Trends in robot-assisted and virtual reality-assisted neuromuscular therapy: a systematic review of health-related multiplayer games

Kilian Baur, Alexandra Schättin, Eling D. de Bruin, Robert Riener, Jaime E. Duarte and Peter Wolf. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 2018 15:107 doi:10.1186/s12984-018-0449-9

Multiplayer modes can enhance the players’ perceived game experience and positively influence the players’ performance. Based on the small number of relevant studies published so far, a conclusion cannot yet be drawn about which multiplayer mode is best during neurorehabilitation training. A meta-analysis of game experience and game performance outcomes may be suggested as soon as more multiplayer studies with homogeneous outcome measures will be published. Nevertheless, this review demonstrated that the players’ individual skill levels and personalities, as well as their role in the game, must be taken into account when selecting and designing multiplayer modes.

Based on the model of flow and the challenge point framework, we suggest an individual adaptation of game conditions, i.e. conditional task difficulty, to assimilate differently skilled players for an optimal game experience. Furthermore, player specific selection of multiplayer modes may result in more robust interventions regarding game experience and requires less assimilation of differently skilled players.

We suggest breaking the limited variety in multiplayer modes and fully exploring multiplayer modes and co-player’s characteristics such as the co-players presence, skill level, personality and relation to the player. We further suggest that future studies use a more stringent research design in which participants are allocated to either single play or multiplayer modes of exercise through randomised assignment.

Trends in robot-assisted and virtual reality-assisted neuromuscular therapy: a systematic review of health-related multiplayer games