OOIR: Observatory of International Research

Papers

(The TQCC of JMIR Serious Games is 11. The table below lists those papers that are above that threshold based on CrossRef citation counts [max. 250 papers]. The publications cover those that have been published in the past four years, i.e., from 2022-01-01 to 2026-01-01.)

Article	Citations
Global Scientific Trends in Virtual Reality for Pain Treatment From 2000 to 2022: Bibliometric Analysis	168
Effectiveness of a Web-Based Virtual Simulation to Train Nursing Students in Suicide Risk Assessment: Randomized Controlled Investigation	65
Pressure Ulcer Management Virtual Reality Simulation (PU-VRSim) for Novice Nurses: Mixed Methods Study	62
Design of a Game-Based Training Environment to Enhance Mental Health Care Professionals’ Skills in Using e–Mental Health: Multiple Methods User Requirements Analysis	61
The Application of Fully Immersive Virtual Reality on Reminiscence Interventions for Older Adults: Scoping Review	61
Using Digital Art and Attachment Priming in a Web-Based Serious Game to Reduce Pain and Social Disconnection in Individuals With Chronic Pain and Loneliness: Randomized Controlled Trial	56
A Photography-based, Social Media Walking Intervention Targeting Autonomous Motivations for Physical Activity: Semistructured Interviews With Older Women	52
Comparing Learning Outcomes of Machine-Guided Virtual Reality–Based Training With Educator-Guided Training in a Metaverse Environment: Randomized Controlled Trial	50
Evaluation of a Digitally Guided Self-Rehabilitation Device Coupled With Telerehabilitation Monitoring in Patients With Parkinson Disease (TELEP@RK): Open, Prospective Observational Study	50
Psychometric Properties of the Metacognitions About Online Gaming Scale in the Chinese Population and Its Relationship With Internet Gaming Disorder: Cross-Sectional Study	47
Advantages of a Training Course for Surgical Planning in Virtual Reality for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery: Crossover Study	44
The Effects of Serious Games on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training and Education: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials	44
Enhancing Serious Game Design: Expert-Reviewed, Stakeholder-Centered Framework	43
The Effectiveness of Serious Games in Alleviating Anxiety: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis	42
Using Distance Communication for the User-Centered Development of a Smartphone-Based Serious Game for Children With Type 1 Diabetes: Participatory Design Approach	39
LTP Prod Release Test. (Preprint)	39
FITLIGHT Training and Its Influence on Visual-Motor Reactions and Dribbling Speed in Female Basketball Players: Prospective Evaluation Study	39
Tongue Muscle Training App for Middle-Aged and Older Adults Incorporating Flow-Based Gameplay: Design and Feasibility Pilot Study	36
Interactive Serious Game to Teach Basic Life Support Among Schoolchildren in Brazil: Design and Rationale	36
A Novel Eye Tracking–Based Gamified Assessment of Contrast Sensitivity Function in Children: Prospective Development and Reliability Study	35
Examining and Comparing the Energy Expenditure of Two Modes of a Virtual Reality Fitness Game (Supernatural): Indirect Calorimetry Study	34
Exploring Nursing Students’ Experiences of Empathy and User Experiences in an Immersive Virtual Reality Simulation Game: Cross-Sectional Study	34
Interactive Digital Game for Improving Visual–Perceptual Defects in Children With a Developmental Disability: Randomized Controlled Trial	34
Effect of Virtual Reality Technology on Attention and Motor Ability in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis	32
Comparison of Exergames Versus Conventional Exercises on the Health Benefits of Older Adults: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials	32

Acceptability of a Serious Game About Proton Radiotherapy Designed for Children Aged 5 to 14 Years and Its Potential Impact on Perceived Anxiety: Feasibility and Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial	32
Use of Serious Games in Interventions of Executive Functions in Neurodiverse Children: Systematic Review	31
Shadow-Induced Forgetting in a Game-Based Paradigm on Nonclinical Adults and Its Effects on Consciousness, Emotional Valence, and Temporal Dynamics: Crossover Study	31
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Mobile Game to Support Smoking Cessation: Repeated Measures Study	30
Author’s Reply: Refining Open-World Game and Nostalgic Film Interventions for Broader and More Reliable Therapeutic Impact	30
Is the Apple Vision Pro the Ultimate Display? A First Perspective and Survey on Entering the Wonderland of Precision Medicine	29
Evaluation of a New Mobile Virtual Reality Setup to Alter Pain Perception: Pilot Development and Usability Study in Healthy Participants	29
Developing Serious Video Games to Treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Tutorial Guide	29
Serious Games Supporting the Prevention and Treatment of Alcohol and Drug Consumption in Youth: Scoping Review	29
Effects of Balance-Based Exergame Training With Variable Difficulty on Balance and Spatiotemporal Gait Outcomes in Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: Randomized Controlled Trial	29
Smartwatch-Based Tailored Gamification and User Modeling for Motivating Physical Exercise: Experimental Study With the Maximum Difference Scaling Segmentation Method	29
Impact of Fruit and Vegetable Enzyme Supplementation on Aerobic Performance and Lactate Response in Older Adults Following High-Intensity Interval Exercise Through Exergaming: Randomized Experimental	29
Virtual Reality Applications for the Implementation of Domestic Respiratory Rehabilitation Programs for Patients With Long COVID and Post-COVID Condition: Scoping Review	29
Pain Assessment Using Virtual Reality Facemask During Bone Marrow Aspiration: Prospective Study Including Propensity-Matched Analysis	29
Exploring Mixed-Reality Exergames for Sports Rehabilitation: Design Insights and Evaluation Findings	28
Electronic Feedback Alone Versus Electronic Feedback Plus in-Person Debriefing for a Serious Game Designed to Teach Novice Anesthesiology Residents to Perform General Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery:	28
The Development of Game-Based Digital Mental Health Interventions: Bridging the Paradigms of Health Care and Entertainment	28
Enhancing Immersion in Virtual Reality–Based Advanced Life Support Training: Randomized Controlled Trial	28
Long-Term Usage of Breeze, a Gamified Breathing Training App, and Its Effect on Momentary Relaxation in People With Cancer: Cohort Study	27
Playfulness and New Technologies in Hand Therapy for Children With Cerebral Palsy: Scoping Review	26
Impact of the Mobile Game FightHPV on Cervical Cancer Screening Attendance: Retrospective Cohort Study	26
Achieving Gameplay Independence in Virtual Reality Exergames for Individuals With Mild Intellectual Disabilities: Pilot Study	25
Teaching Students About Plagiarism Using a Serious Game (Plagi-Warfare): Design and Evaluation Study	25
Digital Ergonomics of NavegApp, a Novel Serious Game for Spatial Cognition Assessment: Content Validity and Usability Study	25
Effects of a Gamified Agent-Based System for Personalized Elderly Care: Pilot Usability Study	25
Correction: Effects of Electronic Serious Games on Older Adults With Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials	25
Considering Theory-Based Gamification in the Co-Design and Development of a Virtual Reality Cognitive Remediation Intervention for Depression (bWell-D): Mixed Methods Study	24
Effects of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Studio Ghibli Films on Young People’s Sense of Exploration, Calm, Mastery and Skill, Purpose and Meaning, and Overall Happiness in Life: Explorat	24
Performance and Perceptions of Health Care Professionals Using an Immersive Virtual Reality Tool for Home Care Training: Observational Feasibility and Acceptability Study	24
A New Approach for Reducing Virtual Reality Sickness in Real Time: Design and Validation Study	24
How, for Whom, and in Which Contexts or Conditions Augmented and Virtual Reality Training Works in Upskilling Health Care Workers: Realist Synthesis	23
Effectiveness and Utility of Virtual Reality Infection Control Simulation for Children With COVID-19: Quasi-Experimental Study	23
An Escape Game on University Students’ Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cocreation Study	22
Design and Evaluation of Using Head-Mounted Virtual Reality for Learning Clinical Procedures: Mixed Methods Study	22
Health Care Professional–Supported Co-Design of a Mime Therapy–Based Serious Game for Facial Rehabilitation	21
Exploring the Use of a Learning-Based Exergame to Enhance Physical Literacy, Soft Skills, and Academic Learning in School-Age Children: Pilot Interventional Study	21
Testing the Effectiveness of a Gamified Emotional Cognitive Bias Modification Task as an Intervention for Low Mood: Randomized Controlled Trial	21
Mixed Reality–Based Physical Therapy in Older Adults With Sarcopenia: Preliminary Randomized Controlled Trial	21
Gamification of Behavior Change: Mathematical Principle and Proof-of-Concept Study	21
Effects of Exergaming on Musculoskeletal Pain in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis	20
Visual Attention of Anesthesia Providers in Simulated Anesthesia Emergencies Using Conventional Number-Based and Avatar-Based Patient Monitoring: Prospective Eye-Tracking Study	20
Digital Interventions for Stress Among Frontline Health Care Workers: Results From a Pilot Feasibility Cohort Trial	20
A Reusable Multiplayer Game for Promoting Active School Transport: Development Study	19
Children and Young People’s Involvement in Designing Applied Games: Scoping Review	19
Transformative Gamified Binocular Therapy for Unilateral Amblyopia in Young Children: Pilot Prospective Efficacy and Safety Study	19
Virtual Reality Applications in Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review	19
Effect of Gamification on Task Engagement During an Eye-Tracking Test Battery in 5-Year-Old Children Born Preterm: Observational Study	19
Empowering Social Growth Through Virtual Reality–Based Intervention for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: 3-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial	18
An Exploratory Digital Board Game Approach to the Review and Reinforcement of Complex Medical Subjects Like Anatomical Education: Cross-sectional and Mixed Methods Study	18
Impact of Gamification on Consumers’ Favorability in Cause-Related Marketing Programs: Between-Subjects Experiments	17

Effect of the “Art Coloring” Online Coloring Game on Subjective Well-Being Increase and Anxiety Reduction During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Development and Evaluation	17
Active Video Games to Improve Behavioral Intentions and Cognitive Function in Patients With Schizophrenia: Randomized Controlled Trial	17
Effectiveness of Using Augmented Reality for Training in the Medical Professions: Meta-analysis	17
Haptic-Driven Serious Card Games for Older Adults: User Preferences Study	17
The Multidomain Metaverse Cancer Care Digital Platform: Development and Usability Study	17
Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi Games’ Affordance of Childlike Wonder and Reduced Burnout Risk in Young Adults: In-Depth Mixed Methods Cross-Sectional Study	16
Age Differences in Flow Experience During Body Movement–Controlled Video Game Rehabilitation Tasks: Cross-Sectional Study	16
Gamification in Mobile Apps for Children With Disabilities: Scoping Review	16
HelperFriend, a Serious Game for Promoting Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors in Children: Design and Pilot Study	16
Utilizing Gamification, Artificial Intelligence, and mHealth for the Professional Development of Maternal Care Providers: Exploratory Pilot Cross-Sectional Study Assessing Providers' Satisfaction in P	16
Older Adults’ Experiences and Perceptions of Immersive Virtual Reality: Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis	15
A Software Engineering Framework for Reusable Design of Personalized Serious Games for Health: Development Study	15
The Effects of Exergaming on Attention in Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial	15
A Biofeedback-Based Mobile App With Serious Games for Young Adults With Anxiety in the United Arab Emirates: Development and Usability Study	14
Correction: Effects of Virtual Reality Therapy for Patients With Breast Cancer During Chemotherapy: Randomized Controlled Trial	14
Pulmonary and Physical Virtual Reality Exercises for Patients With Blunt Chest Trauma: Randomized Clinical Trial	14
Extended Reality–Based Mobile App Solutions for the Therapy of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: Systematic Literature Review	14
Translating and Testing a Digital Game Promoting Vegetable Consumption in Young Children: Usability Study	14
Using Augmented Reality Toward Improving Social Skills: Scoping Review	14
A Serious Game for Performing Task-Oriented Cervical Exercises Among Older Adult Patients With Chronic Neck Pain: Development, Suitability, and Crossover Pilot Study	14
Smartphone-Based Virtual and Augmented Reality Implicit Association Training (VARIAT) for Reducing Implicit Biases Toward Patients Among Health Care Providers: App Development and Pilot Testing	13
Refining Open-World Game and Nostalgic Film Interventions for Broader and More Reliable Therapeutic Impact	13
Modification in the Motor Skills of Seniors in Care Homes Using Serious Games and the Impact of COVID-19: Field Study	13
Points and the Delivery of Gameful Experiences in a Gamified Environment: Framework Development and Case Analysis	13
Effect of the Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure Exergame on Running Completion Time and Psychological Factors Among University Students Engaging in Distance Learning During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Randomized	13
Feasibility, Enjoyment, and Language Comprehension Impact of a Tablet- and GameFlow-Based Story-Listening Game for Kindergarteners: Methodological and Mixed Methods Study	13
The Impact of Active Augmented Reality Games on Physical Activity and Cognition Among Older Adults: Feasibility Study	13
Domain-Specific Evaluation of Exergame Metrics Among Older Adults With Mild Neurocognitive Disorder: Secondary Analysis of 2 Randomized Controlled Trials	13
Diaphragmatic Breathing Interfaces to Promote Relaxation for Mitigating Insomnia: Pilot Study	12
Identifying Key Principles and Commonalities in Digital Serious Game Design Frameworks: Scoping Review	12
Virtual Reality Technology in Cognitive Rehabilitation Application: Bibliometric Analysis	12
User Experience of a Semi-Immersive Musical Serious Game to Stimulate Cognitive Functions in Hospitalized Older Patients: Questionnaire Study	12
Incorporating an Intelligent Tutoring System Into a Game-Based Auditory Rehabilitation Training for Adult Cochlear Implant Recipients: Algorithm Development and Validation	12
Effectiveness of a 5-Week Virtual Reality Telerehabilitation Program for Children With Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy: Prospective Quasi-Experimental Study	12
Designing a Serious Game (Above Water) for Stigma Reduction Surrounding Mental Health: Semistructured Interview Study With Expert Participants	12
Digital Gamification Tools to Enhance Vaccine Uptake: Scoping Review	12
Time to Think “Meta”: A Critical Viewpoint on the Risks and Benefits of Virtual Worlds for Mental Health	12
Virtual Reality High-Intensity Interval Training Exergaming Compared to Traditional High-Intensity Circuit Training Among Medical Students: Pilot Crossover Study	12
A Virtual Reality Serious Game for the Rehabilitation of Hand and Finger Function: Iterative Development and Suitability Study	11
The Role of Relevance in Shaping Perceptions of Sleep Hygiene Games Among University Students: Mixed Methods Study	11
Identifying Video Game Preferences Among Adults Interested in Quitting Smoking Cigarettes: Survey Study	11
Co-design of a Virtual Reality Cognitive Remediation Program for Depression (bWell-D) With Patient End Users and Clinicians: Qualitative Interview Study Among Patients and Clinicians	11
Prevalence, Sex Differences, and Predictors of Internet Gaming Disorder Among Impoverished Rural Adolescents: Cross-Sectional and Prospective Cohort Study	11
Effect of an Active Video Game Intervention Combined With Multicomponent Exercise for Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Children With Overweight and Obesity: Randomized Controlled Trial	11
Development and Evaluation of a Monocular Camera–Based Mobile Exergame for at-Home Intervention in Individuals at High Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Randomized Controlled Trial	11
Correction: Effects of Commercial Exergames and Conventional Exercises on Improving Executive Functions in Children and Adolescents: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials	11
Virtual Reality for Workplace Violence Training of Health Care Workers: Pilot Mixed Methods Usability Study	11
Using a Virtual Reality Tool to Provide Primary Prevention Training in the Construction Field Following a Periodic Medical Visit: Cross-Sectional Study	11
Co-Design of a Virtual Reality Multiplayer Adventure Game for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Mixed Methods Study	11
Usability Evaluation of a Virtual Reality Multisensory Sham-Feeding Device for Patients Undergoing Fasting Periods for Colorectal Cancer Surgery: Mixed Methods Study	11
Preference of Virtual Reality Games in Psychological Pressure and Depression Treatment: Discrete Choice Experiment	11
Role of Gaming Devices Associated With Internet Gaming Disorder in China: Cross-sectional Study	11