THE USE OF EXERGAMES IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE ELDERLY AND ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH: INTEGRATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHIC REVIEW

Abstract

Introduction: With advancing age, people undergo physiological changes that ultimately limit their daily activities. Based on this, rehabilitation using exergames, a current and innovative treatment, when used with elderly people, allows for improvements in functional aspects such as increased muscle strength and improved balance. Objective: To analyze the effects of exergames in the treatment of elderly people and its impact on health. Methodology: This study is characterized as qualitative through an integrative literature review. A review was conducted addressing the health benefits for elderly people through treatments using exergames, with a time frame of 5 years, in Portuguese and English, in the databases Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO), National Library of Medicine (PubMed), Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro), and Virtual Health Library (BVS). Results: After analyzing the database and inclusion criteria, 6 articles were analyzed. Studies have confirmed that the use of exergames in elderly people has positive effects, demonstrating improvements in bodily functions such as balance, strength, and coordination, as well as mental functions, thus improving their living conditions and quality of life. Conclusion: Exergames have shown health benefits for elderly people, demonstrating improvements in bodily functions such as balance, strength, and coordination, as well as mental functions, thus improving their living conditions and quality of life.