Efectos de los exergames no inmersivos en funciones ejecutivas de adultos mayores sanos. Una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v76.117767Palabras clave:
Cognición, envejecimiento, exergames, funciones ejecutivas, revisiónResumen
Introducción: Los exergames se han propuesto como una alternativa innovadora y accesible para estimular funciones cognitivas en adultos mayores. Sin embargo, la evidencia existente ha mostrado resultados diversos y con limitaciones metodológicas.
Objetivo: El objetivo fue evaluar los efectos de intervenciones crónicas con exergames sobre las principales dimensiones de las funciones ejecutivas frías en adultos mayores cognitivamente sanos, en comparación con grupos control activos o pasivos.
Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis siguiendo las directrices PRISMA. Se incluyeron ensayos aleatorizados y no aleatorizados con duración mínima de ocho semanas, que compararon exergames con grupos control y reportaron medidas pre y post intervención de funciones ejecutivas evaluadas mediante instrumentos validados. La búsqueda se efectuó en PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science y CINAHL Complete.
Resultados: Se incorporaron diez estudios, que aplicaron programas con consolas como Nintendo Wii, Xbox Kinect y Nintendo switch. El metaanálisis mostró efectos pequeños y no significativos en memoria de trabajo, flexibilidad cognitiva e inhibición, con heterogeneidad moderada a alta entre estudios. Los análisis de sensibilidad confirmaron la robustez de los hallazgos.
Discusión: Los resultados coincidieron parcialmente con revisiones previas, aunque las diferencias en la duración, intensidad y tipo de exergame explicaron la heterogeneidad. Se destacó que, pese a la limitada eficacia cognitiva, los exergames ofrecen ventajas motivacionales y de adherencia.
Conclusiones: Los exergames podrían beneficiar específicamente la inhibición en adultos mayores, mientras que los efectos sobre la memoria de trabajo y la flexibilidad cognitiva siguen siendo inciertos.
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