Digital gaming and health

Guest Editors

Niko Männikkö, PhD, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Finland
Umair Rehman, PhD, MASc, Western University, Canada

BMC Digital Health is presenting our Collection, Digital gaming and health. In an era where screens have become an integral part of our daily lives, there is significant potential for digital gaming to impact health. This Collection aims to shed light on the diverse ways in which digital games are being harnessed to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.

New Content Item This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being

Meet the Guest Editors

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Niko Männikkö, PhD, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Finland

Niko Männikkö, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor at University of Oulu. He is currently working as a Lead Researcher at the Centre for Research and Innovation in Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Oulu, Finland. He has over ten years of experience planning and implementing EU research and developing projects with national and international partners. His passion is developing actionable projects to optimize healthy development of young people. Current projects include explorations of issues surrounding people’s use of, and interactions via, screens and how these behaviors may be related to wellbeing.

Umair Rehman, PhD, MASc, Western University, Canada

Dr Rehman is an Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department, Western University. He specializes in interactive computing systems. His research is focused on three key areas: entertainment computing, where he investigates video games and social technologies; human-centered artificial intelligence, emphasizing AI integration that centers on human experiences; and the creation of systems for complex sociotechnical environments, such as high-stakes, rapidly evolving sectors like high-reliability organizations. In his methodological approach, Dr Rehman integrates Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) with cognitive engineering, aiming to weave human cognitive processes into system designs. Overall, Dr Rehman's endeavors are directed toward augmenting human capabilities and enriching user experiences in the realm of interactive computing.

About the Collection

BMC Digital Health is presenting contributions to our Collection Digital gaming and health.

In recent years, the intersection of digital gaming and health has emerged as a dynamic and exciting frontier in the field of digital health. The pervasive nature of digital games, played on various platforms, has created new opportunities for research and innovation that can impact individuals' well-being, both physically and mentally. From mobile apps encouraging physical activity to immersive experiences tackling mental health challenges, the potential of gaming in fostering well-being is expansive and continuously unfolding. This Collection aims to shed light on the diverse ways in which digital games are being harnessed to promote physical, mental, and social well-being.

The convergence of digital gaming and health has emerged as a dynamic and innovative field, with great potential to transform our understanding and approach to well-being. Interdisciplinary research has already yielded remarkable insights, unveiling the capacity of gaming to facilitate rehabilitation, enhance cognitive functions, and improve mental well-being. For instance, gamified fitness applications have motivated people to lead more active lives, while cognitive training games have shown promise in enhancing mental acuity. The gamification of therapy and rehabilitation has expanded the scope of healthcare interventions, making them more engaging and effective. Looking ahead, this continued exploration holds the promise of further breakthroughs, potentially leading to personalized gaming-based therapies, novel preventive health measures, and refined tools for education and behavioral change.

We presented contributions that examine a wide range of topics relating to gaming and digital health, including but not limited to:

Exergames for physical rehabilitation
Gamification in health education
Mental health and video games
Mobile games for health behavior change
Serious games in chronic disease management
Gaming addiction interventions
Health effects of excessive gaming
Digital games for cognitive enhancement
Social dynamics of online gaming
Gamified fitness apps for health tracking

This collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being

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