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A Review on Serious Games for ADHD


Yuanyuan Zheng, Rongyang Li, Sha Li, Yudong Zhang, Shunkun Yang,
and Huansheng Ning, Senior Member, IEEE

Abstract—Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Usually people use medication to relieve the symptoms of
have two main characteristics: inattention and impulsivity.It has ADHD, but medication is prone to dependence and side
many obstacles to the normal development of children and is very
effects [7]. With the development of science and technology,
common among children.As an intervention, Serious games for
ADHD(SGADs) have shown great potential and are very effective people began to use new technology to complete the
for these ADHD patients.Although many serious games have been intervention of ADHD. Therefore, serious games that achieve
developed for ADHD patients, but a review paper that summarizes the purpose of training in the form of entertainment have
and generalizes the topic of video games has not yet appeared.In been successfully applied to the treatment of ADHD.
this article, we first classified serious games about ADHD according
Nowadays, there are many serious games for ADHD, and
to different platforms developed by video games, and then we
conducted a systematic review of video games that can help these serious games have different effects due to different
children with ADHD diagnose and treat. technologies. Through research , it is found that serious
Finally, we discussed and made suggestions based on the current games about ADHD are roughly divided into two aspects:
development of SGADs. diagnosis and treatment, and they use different carriers to
Index Terms—serious games, ADHD, video games, diagnosis, complete the successful operation of the game. In this paper,
treatment from the two aspects of diagnosis and treatment, we
reviewed the SGADs, and analyzed and compared their
I. INTRODUCTION technology and effect, hoping to let people know what impact serious gam
In the research of SGADs, according to the different
TTENTION deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
TO also known as hyperactivity, is mainly manifested carriers of video games, this paper divides SGADs into three
categories: console games, computer games and mobile
as symptoms of inattention, impulsivity and
games. Console games can be played by connecting to a
hyperactivity.Although the prevalence of ADHD varies
monitor such as a TV, and with the development of
slightly according to different diagnostic criteria, it is
somatosensory interaction technology, players can perform
generally about 7.2% [1].And boys have a higher prevalence
a lot of physical movements when using gamepads or
rate than girls [2].It can be seen that many children suffer from ADHD.
Attention deficits cause children with ADHD to be unable simulators to operate the game, which is not only easier to
operate, but also to exercise. Console games can allow
to concentrate, have short attention spans, or be vulnerable
ADHD patients to devote themselves to the game , exercise
to external interference. Hyperactivity disorder causes
while entertaining, and improve the coordination of the whole
children with ADHD to have poor inhibition, difficult to control
body.Computer games have more types, richer content and
their emotions and behaviors, and easily impulsive. These
more realistic scenes. Most SGADs are developed for
symptoms of ADHD cause them to be at a disadvantage in
computers, and computer games developed for patients with
many aspects of daily life. Children with ADHD have many
ADHD can achieve a variety of therapeutic effects.The
aca demic problems, such as they can't complete their
combination of computer games and brain computer interface
homework independently, can't concentrate on listening in
(BCI)technology can detect the electroencephalogram(EEG)
class and are easy to drop out of school [3].Moreover,
of ADHD patients, and the appli cation of neural feedback
children with ADHD often have language expression and
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technology can help ADHD patients with attention


reading comprehension barriers, which are very detrimental
training.Serious games with BCI technology are different
to their normal growth [4] [5].Children with ADHD also
from general entertainment games, which involve complex
exhibit some extreme be haviors in society, such as being
brain wave knowledge.Therefore, Sung proposed a
prone to disputes with their relatives and friends, and being
development framework for such games in his research, so
unable to get along with others normally.In addition, children
as to reduce the difficulty of developing games [8].Mobile
with ADHD also bear the risk of other mental illnesses, such
games are popular with people for their portability and ease
as behavioral disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, depression, etc [6].
of operation. Most mobile games run on smart phones and
Yuanyuan Zheng, RongYang Li, Sha Li, Huansheng Ning are with the tablet computers. People use their fingers to click and drag
School of Computer and Communication Engineering, Univer sity of Science on the touch screen to complete the operation of the game.
and Technology Beijing, 10083, Beijing, China, e
mail:ninghuansheng@ustb.edu.cn. Huansheng Ning is also with Beijing
At present, there are many SGADs developed for mobile platforms so tha
Engineering Research Center for Cyberspace Data Analysis and Applications, Serious games can play different roles in patients with
100083, Beijing, China ADHD. In this article, we analyze SGADs from the
Yudong Zhang is with the School of Informatics, University of Leicester,
UK, e-mail: yudongzhang@ieee.org.
perspective of diagnosis and treatment. Usually, clinicians
Shunkun Yang is with the School of Information, University of Beihang, will use some questionnaires, statistical manuals or structured
Beihang, Beihang, e-mail:ysk@buaa.edu.cn. interviews to assess the daily behavior of patients, so as to de
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conclude whether they have ADHD [9].However, this diagnosis gaming experiences to children with ADHD and help them
method can easily be mixed with the subjective opinions of the achieve different training effects.
evaluator and affect the reliability of the diagnosis. When
children with ADHD are in this special environment of the A. console games
hospital, their mental state is also easily affected. Faced with Console games usually refer to the games on TV with the TV
doctors and boring questionnaires, it is difficult for children with screen as the display. In order to play the corresponding console
ADHD to have natural manifestations, which makes it more games, it needs to be equipped with game console, such as
difficult to obtain an accurate diagnosis .Serious games can Nintendo's ”switch” and Microsoft's ”Xbox one”.
improve the user's participation in the evaluation process Console games can use the interaction technology based on
through immersive environment, interactive technology and action recognition to complete the interaction with the
multi-sensory experience to make the evaluation results more game.Action uses optical devices and acceleration sensors to
effective [10].Gamified evaluation is more attractive than sense the user's position and speed, determine the user's
traditional evaluation, so that participants can complete the action, and then carry out interactive activities.This technology
evaluation process without expending more energy, and it is allows the console game to break through the previous operation
possible to reduce the dropout rate during the evaluation mode of simple input by the handle button, but to operate
process [11].When using serious games to treat patients with through changes in body movements.Action recognition
ADHD, serious games can not only improve the attention and technology makes human-computer interaction in a more natural
suppress impulse of patients with ADHD, but also exercise daily and intuitive way, which makes it more convenient for users to
life skills and social skills of ADHD patients.Using serious games operate the game.
as an auxiliary tool can not only alleviate the symptoms of Console games can provide a highly interactive multiplayer
ADHD patients, but also improve the executive function of cooperation mode, which can promote communication with
ADHD patients, and behavioral cognitive training for ADHD friends and narrow the distance between family members.The
patients [12] .All in all, for ADHD patients, serious games can game console with somatosensory function can also make
play the role of diagnosis and treatment, and bring great hope people exercise while playing, not only can enjoy the rich game
to ADHD patients. screen, but also can do a lot of physical movements, and the
This article analyzes the effects that serious games can purpose of exercise can be achieved in the process of
achieve in the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD patients. entertainment.
Our work has laid a good foundation for the development of Wii is a game console released by Nintendo in 2006. Its game
serious games in ADHD in the future. The structure of the rest sensors enable players to control the characters in the game
of this article is arranged as follows: Section II introduces through actions. When children with ADHD perform operations,
SGADs developed for different platforms. Section III gives a it can bring them a variety of sensory stimulation. Chuang
detailed overview of SGADs related to diagnosis and treatment. conducted an experiment to study the effects of Wii play and
Section IV discusses the advantages and disadvantages of Wii sport on ADHD children, and the results showed that ADHD
these SGADs and gives suggestions. Section V summarizes children can feel more fun and improve their attention when
the entire article. playing games [16].Children with ADHD often have defects in
executive function, that is, it is difficult to complete tasks that
II. SGADS FOR DIFFERENT GAMING PLATFORMS require planning and organization [17]. Use SGADs can train
for specific executive function deficits, experiments show that
Usually, people call games that are not for entertainment SGADs can increase the enthusiasm of children with ADHD to
purposes as serious games.Because serious games can participate in treatment and improve the effect of executive
achieve good training effects, serious games have achieved function training [18].
great success in many areas such as military, education, and As an auxiliary measure, physical exercise can be used to
medical treatment [13].Because video games can provide reduce the executive function defects of ADHD children.
constant stimulation and timely feedback, children with ADHD Because exercise requires a lot of energy and energy, ADHD
are often able to maintain their attention for a longer time when children are often reluctant to take physical exercise. Console
playing video games [14]. Therefore, the use of serious game games that can be used for sports activities gamify sports and
therapy will allow ADHD patients to actively participate in the cognitive training, making sports more interesting and
treatment process, thereby completing the training pro cess challenging, and can exercise players' concentration, inhibition,
smoothly and effectively.Video games can provide an immersive and reaction. Benzing [19] used Microsoft's Xbox game with
game environment, provide users with fascinating game sole and equipped with Kinect equipment capable of motion
challenges, and greatly stimulate the enthusiasm of players recognition to conduct an intervention experiment on selected
[15].In order to allow researchers to better understand the patients. During the experiment, the experimental group used
development of SGAD, we divide SGADs into three stages: Shape UP and Beatmaster Training Quest for training. A
console games, computer games, and mobile games according questionnaire was used to evaluate the symptoms of ADHD in
to different game platforms (see Fig.1). And serious games at children before and after the intervention. The evaluation results
different stages also adopt different human-computer interaction show that exercise games can not only reduce the inhibition of
technologies to complete the exchange of information with these patients and improve their responsiveness, but also
machines . These serious games can bring different improve the deficits in executive function.
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01 02 03

console games computer games mobile games

Strong interaction, More refined pictures Portable,


Good for exercise and special effects, Easy to operate
Many peripherals

Fig. 1. The development of SGADs

B. computer games According to different frequencies, EEG signals are divided into different
frequency bands, which also correspond to different brain activities.The
Computer games refer to electronic games played on com puters. Video
ratio of ÿ/ÿ in the EEG is related to attention. The higher the ratio, the less
games are divided into client games and web games. Client games need to
concentrated the attention, and the higher ÿ/ÿ ratio has become a biological
download the client, the game screen and special effects are more refined
characteristic of patients with ADHD [22]. Therefore, in order to make the
and the higher the client computer configuration, the more refined the game
attention of ADHD patients more concentrated, training can be used in
scene. Web games can be entered from a computer browser, without
video games to reduce the ratio of brain waves ÿ/ÿ [22].In video games, the
downloading the client, you can play with a computer puter and the Internet,
ÿ/ÿ ratio can be improved by applying auditory and visual stimuli to patients
which is more convenient than client games.Computer games can be
with ADHD. Studies have shown that light music has the best effect and
connected to multiple devices to achieve different game effects.
can effectively reduce the ÿ/ÿ ratio [23].

Computer games generally use the mouse and keyboard to complete


the interaction with the game. Mouse and keyboard are the most common Neurofeedback uses BCI equipment to collect the user's EEG signals
hardware input devices in people's daily life. Most electronic games rely on when playing video games, and immediately feedback them to the user,
the mouse and keyboard to complete the transmission of information in the helping children with ADHD train their brainwave activities [24].Someone
process of human-computer interaction.This control method occupies the conducted a randomized controlled trial on children with ADHD, adopted

mainstream position in computer games. As a traditional control method, different intervention measures for different experimental groups, and used
although it can meet the general needs of the public, it cannot bring users questionnaires and scales to evaluate the intervention of ADHD children to
a natural interactive experience. Such video games can help children with verify the effectiveness of neurofeedback in the treatment of ADHD [25].
ADHD improve their attention, suppress impulse, and train daily life skills. Evidence shows that neuro feedback can effectively improve the symptoms
of ADHD [26]. factors that affect the efficacy of neurofeedback have also
been fully studied. Experiments have shown that the depth of treatment,
evaluation reports provided by different observers, and different EEG

Children with ADHD often have symptoms of inattention. equipment can all affect the effect of neurofeedback therapy [27].
Studies have found that the level of attention is related to brain waves. So
people began to apply brain-computer interaction technology to SGADs
based on computer games. BCI can be used to complete the communication
between the brain and the computer. In BCI technology, EEG equipment In order to improve the player's visual experience, the combination of
collects brain electrical signals and directly inputs brain activity to the computer games and virtual reality technology brings players an
computer, so no input devices such as a mouse and keyboard are needed extraordinary gaming experience [28]. Virtual reality technology changes
to complete communication [20]. The two most popular commercial brain- the traditional way of operating games with a mouse and keyboard, and is
computer interface devices on the market, Emotiv and NeuroSky, have committed to improving the authenticity and interactivity of games.Serious
been successfully applied to the control of electronic games [21]. games using virtual reality technology can provide an immersive environment
and help transfer the skills learned during
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training to real life. The serious game of virtual reality provides A. SGADs for diagnosing ADHD
a controllable reality environment for cognitive exercises and
can provide timely feedback, which is conducive to improving The research projects of serious games related to diagnosis
are shown in Table 2.
the symptoms of ADHD [29]. Alqithami [30] proposed a virtual
reality therapist system that combines virtual reality and agent Usually, medical staff complete the diagnosis of ADHD
-based models.The biggest advantage of virtual reality children by analyzing the results of a questionnaire about the
technology is that it can exercise the players' reaction ability psychological test for ADHD filled by teachers and parents.
and sensitivity in the game process, so that they can quickly This method is not only boring and complicated for children
integrate into the training environment. with ADHD, but also because the questionnaire is filled out by
Although virtual reality technology can bring players a more parents and teachers, it is also prone to inconsistent results of
realistic interactive experience, computer games based on this the questionnaire, which is not conducive to accurate and
technology also have disadvantages such as high cost, single objective diagnosis.Therefore, the diagnosis process is
game category, and easy physical discomfort. Furthermore, the gamified, and the diagnosis result is completely dependent on
head-mounted devices used in such computer games are not the performance of ADHD children in the game. This can not
suitable for children, so the application of computer games only stimulate the fun of ADHD children to participate in the
based on virtual reality technology in ADHD has yet to be diagnosis, but also make the diagnosis results more objective.
developed. Khaleghi [32] has developed a computer game for diag
nosing and evaluating ADHD, which uses DSM-IV as the
diagnostic criteria. The diagnosis result depends on the number
C. mobile games of times the player uses the mouse to click on irrelevant
answers in the game, the answers chosen, and the time
Mobile games use touch-based interactive technology to
spent.There is also a computer game used to diagnose ADHD,
complete information input.This technology is often used on
its name is Supermarket [33].The biggest feature of this video
mobile devices such as mobile phones and tablets that require
game is that the data obtained by children with ADHD during
touch control.Mobile games are easier to operate and adapt to
the game is classified by data mining algorithms. By using
a wider range of people, so mobile games are more humanized
machine learning technology to classify data, it can be used as
than computer games.Users can use their fingers to complete
an auxiliary means to correctly distinguish ADHD children from
operations such as clicking, dragging, and so on, which makes
non-ADHD children.Chen [34] designed a diagnostic aid system
the operations of some electronic games easier and enhances
COSA, this system evaluates the data obtained in the game
the user's gaming experience.
according to the DSM-V diagnostic criteria.This system can not
Compared with computer games, portability is the most only test physiological data, but also evaluate the movement
prominent feature of mobile games. You can play games any data generated by the player during the game, and the
time, anywhere with only a mobile device.Generally, mobile effectiveness of this system has also been verified.Because
games are easy to operate and suitable for a wide range of ADHD children tend to have a lower enthusiasm when facing
people, but the animation effect of mobile games is not as traditional cognitive tests, this is likely to affect the test results,
strong as computer games, and some special effects are not so through gamification, children with ADHD can show the most
as good as computer games.Mobile games can also be played natural state. Another computer game called Timo's Adventure
on a tablet. Compared with a mobile phone, a tablet can provide can be used to evaluate the deficits in executive function [35].
a more open visual effect.The biggest advantage of a tablet is system consists of six small games with different functions, and
a larger screen, higher resolution, and better picture each small game can be used to improve different executive
quality.Tablet computers can make it easier for players to function defects. It is judged whether it is ADHD by the defects
participate in games, and are more eye-protective than mobile of executive function displayed during the game, and the
phones, but due to their larger size, they are not easy to operate effectiveness of this game is proven through experiments.
for some games.
With the development of mobile devices, video games
III. SGADS WITH DIFFERENT PURPOSES developed for mobile devices have gradually taken a place in
the electronic game market.This type of video games is not
Table1 summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of limited to time and location restrictions. You can play video
SGADs. games anytime, anywhere with only a mobile phone or
As an auxiliary tool, serious games play the process of tablet.And players use their fingers to use the touch screen as
diagnosis and treatment of ADHD children (see Fig.2). A large the medium to complete the interaction with the device, which
number of experiments have proven that using video games makes it easier to operate the game, so SGADs based on
can effectively distinguish ADHD children from non ADHD mobile devices came into being.Nayra [36] has designed a
children, and it also has a very obvious effect in reducing the mobile application that combines the functions of pre-diagnosis
symptoms of ADHD children and improving executive function and treatment.People related to ADHD can communicate
[31].Although serious games can bring a lot of positive effects through this application, and ensuring the data security of their
to ADHD children, there are also some limitations. communication is also a key part of the application.This
application is also based on the questionnaire
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diagnosing treating

Fig. 2. The role of SGADs

TABLE I
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SGADS

Types Diagnosing Treatment

Low side effects,Increase enthusiasm,


High participation rate,
Advantages
Improve executive function,
High accuracy rate, Objective

Improve daily life skills,Promote social interaction

The effect is not obvious,


Disadvantages Cannot distinguish subtypes clearly

Easily addictive,Harmful to eyesight

to complete the assessment of ADHD. The difference is that the results of the machine learning technology to classify the obtained data to accurately
questionnaire are first classified by the naive Bayes classifier and then sent to diagnose patients with ADHD.In the process of playing the game, the player's
the medical staff. The medical staff then complete the diagnosis of the child attention level will be promptly fed back to the player, and the player can
with ADHD based on the data. adjust his attention in time according to the neurofeedback, so this game can
also achieve the purpose of training attention.

Since inattention is the main feature of ADHD, it is possible to determine


whether they have ADHD by testing the attention level of the child.Attention A serious game that uses Kinect to recognize actions also completes the
level can be given by EEG signals, and EEG signals can be obtained through diagnosis of ADHD by measuring attention [40]. This is a 3D video game in
brain computer interface devices.This diagnosis method combines brain- which the player controls the game by moving his body, and the level of
computer interaction technology with serious games to obtain the EEG signal attention is given by the measured variables that the player obtains during the
of the player during the game, and compare it with the characteristics of the game.
EEG signal diagnosed with ADHD, thereby completing the diagnosis of ADHD.
A serious game called FOCUS relies on brain computer interaction technology Serious games can also use virtual reality and machine learning techniques
to diagnose ADHD [37] [38] to evaluate patients with ADHD. On the one hand, virtual reality provides an
immersive environment that can provide a real sensory experience during
the diagnosis process. On the other hand, machine learning can classify the
[39].This video game not only uses brain-computer interaction technology to data obtained during the game and increase the accuracy of diagnosis. For
obtain EEG data, but also uses virtual reality technology to create an example, combining virtual
immersive game environment, and uses
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reality and deep learning, processing the data obtained through A video game called harvest challenge also gets players'
CNN(convolutional neural network), and according to the EEG through BCI device, and then trains players' attention
results of data processing to determine whether suffering from through neural feedback [48]. This video game is composed
ADHD [41]. of three small games, which can train ADHD children's ability
Empowerment brain is a video game used to evaluate the of waiting, planning, following instructions and achieving goals
symptoms of ADHD in autistic children [42]. This game uses [49]. The enhancement of these four abilities can help ADHD
augmented reality technology to make the game picture more children to improve their attention and restrain their
realistic, and uses Google glasses to analyze whether the impulses.Neural feedback space is also a video game using
performance of autistic children in the game is related to BCI technology, and this video game takes the spaceship as
ADHD by using artificial intelligence. the background, the head mounted device collecting EEG
signals corresponds to the space helmet in the game, and the
B. SGADs for treating ADHD speed of the spaceship as the feedback signal represents the
The research projects of serious games related to treatment level of players' attention [50].
are shown in Table 3. ADHD patients can also play some other types of video
The main characteristic of ADHD is inattention, main games to exercise their attention.For example, Hocine has
performance in difficult to concentrate, and the duration of the developed an electronic game controlled by a mouse and
attention is shorter, also very vulnerable to outside keyboard, which can also be used to exercise play ers'
interference.This feature has a lot of negative effects on ADHD concentration and memory, and use feedback test ques
children's learning and life, such as they can't insist on tionnaires to help players adjust themselves during training
completing tasks in life, it's easy to give up halfway in doing [51].Redondo conducted an experiment to study the effects of
things and so on, they can't pay attention in class and listen the two video games ”Boogies Academy” and ”Cuibrain” on
carefully in learning, and they can't complete the homework visual attention [52].These two electronic games are based on
assigned by teachers and so on.At present, although there are multiple intelligences and are suitable for mobile phones and
many measures can be used to improve the symptoms of tablets respectively. They can be used to activate language
ADHD, the effect is not obvious, and it is easy to produce side intelligence and interpersonal intelligence.ATHYNOS is a
effects, such as drug intervention, which is not only ineffective, serious game that uses augmented reality technology [53].It
but also harmful to the health of ADHD children.However, can not only improve attention, but also fully mobilize the
serious game intervention can make up for these deficiencies. hand eye coordination of children with ADHD, reduce reaction
The combination of serious game and different human- time , and promote children with ADHD to participate in the
computer interaction technology can bring a variety of treatment voluntarily.
interactive experience to patients with ADHD and achieve The symptoms of inattention and impulsivity in ADHD
different effects in the treatment of ADHD. children bring a lot of burden to their daily life. Plan it
Serious games based on brain computer interface have commander, as a typical serious game developed to exercise
been gradually applied to the treatment of ADHD, whose main life skills, is very helpful for ADHD patients to carry out
purpose is to improve the attention level of ADHD.By using rehabilitation training [54]. Three small games are designed to
some EEG acquisition equipment to obtain the EEG data of improve the time management, planning organization and
patients with ADHD in the game process, and then provide social skills of ADHD children. And a randomized controlled
real-time feedback to patients through the screen or sound in experiment was carried out to verify its effectiveness [55]. In
the game, it can help patients with ADHD to train their ability the experiment, it was found that with the increase of training
of concentration [43].In serious games based on EEG, EEG times, ADHD children's daily life skills were gradually improved.
signal processing is usually implemented by some algorithms, Pascual has developed a video game with a virtual balance as
such as frequency analysis and event-related potential analysis the background of the game [56].This video game can drag
[44]. In order to accurately capture the different states of brain and drop two different tasks to the two ends of the virtual
activity, some studies proposed EEG signal processing method balance on a touch-based interactive device, and then help
based on fractal dimension model, and successfully applied to users to prioritize the two tasks according to the decision tree .
serious games [45]. Children with ADHD also have deficits in executive function
In a video game called armis [46], players use keyboard to [57]. Executive function belongs to a kind of cognitive function,
control the characters in the game, while wearing wireless which is a human inherent ability, including planning and
EEG device to detect the state of the brain, and use the organization, time management, working memory, reaction
change of game background color to represent the level of inhibition, etc. Brainame Brian is a video game mainly used
attention in the process of playing the game. Through this for executive function training, and it can also be used to
intuitive visual experience, players can understand their level suppress the impulsivity of patients with ADHD [58].And the
of attention more clearly and adjust their attention according reward mechanism and strategy designed in this game also
to the requirements of the game. A BCI video game with a 3D promoted the enthusiasm of ADHD patients to participate in
virtual classroom as the background can also be used to train training.The main function of antonyms is to suppress impulse,
the player's attention [47 ].This video game can effectively through this video game, ADHD patients can gradually learn
transfer the training effect to the real world by simulating the to control themselves [59].The player completes the interaction
situation of students in the classroom. with the game scene through the touch screen. If the player
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TABLE II
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REVIEWED STUDIES: DIAGNOSIS

Game Name Purpose Technologies References

AGE 1 Diagnosing cognitive impairment PC [32]

Supermarket Distinguish ADHD from non-ADHD PC [33]

STUFF Assess inattention and impulsivity Sensor, Display [3. 4]

Timo's Adventure Assess specific cognitive functions PC [35]

Pre-diagnosis,
mHealth Mobile,Tablet PC,Touch interaction [36]

Improve cognitive ability

Detect attention level


FOCUS PC,BCI [37],[38],[39]

and improve attention

Detect attention level


- [40]
Console,Somatosensory interaction

and improve attention

Empowered Brain Detect symptoms of ADHD PC,AR [42]

wants to win the game, he must learn to control himself, ers control the drums with sensors according to the music
adjust his emotions and suppress impulse [60].The secret rhythm provided by the game.One of the characteristics of
track of the moon is a video game with chess as the main this game is that it can also choose the multiplayer mode,
mechanism, which uses virtual reality technology to bring which requires the cooperation between players. This video
players a more real game experience [61]. This video game game can not only improve the attention of children with
can provide cognitive training for ADHD patients to improve ADHD and inhibit their impulses, but also promote the co operation and
their cognitive function. communication between children with ADHD
'
Wronska has developed a serious game to improve the reading and others [64].EmoGalaxy is a video game that focuses

comprehension ability, which is related to the faculty on emotional regulation to improve social skills [65]. It is

of memory in executive functions [62].ADHD patients are mainly used to complete the training of the three aspects

easily affected by inattention when reading or looking at of recognizing emotions, expressing emotions and regulating

pictures, causing them to be unable to understand the content emotions. Players need to express the correct emotions on the

of the reading.This video game was developed for ipad. Item planet representing different emotions to proceed to the next

uses touch-sensitive interactive devices to complete working level, and the recognition of emotions is achieved using facial

memory training for children with ADHD, which is not recognition technology.

only helpful for their daily life, but also for improving their
academic performance [62]. IV. DISCUSSION AND SUGGESTIONS

Children with ADHD are often under a lot of stress and Serious games as a new technology can provide great help
easily lose control of their emotions.Through breathing exercises for ADHD to patients with ADHD. Different from traditional methods,
children, they can reduce their stress and serious games gamify the process of diagnosis and treatment,
learn to adjust their emotions. Chillfish mainly uses LEGO which can not only bring fun to children with ADHD but
fish with respiratory sensors to complete the interaction with also reduces symptoms.When making a diagnosis, it is possible
video games [63]. By using the respiratory controller to to accurately determine whether they have ADHD through
breathe slowly, ADHD children can gradually keep calm and the performance of the players in the game and some data
relaxed.Music can eliminate tension and relieve stress, and collected, And can also use machine learning technology to
regular exposure to music rhythm helps promote physical classify game data to detect ADHD patients.Different game
and mental health.ADDventurous Rhythmical Planet is an mechanisms and operation methods can bring different training
video game that uses music rhythm for training [63].Play effects to children with ADHD. These games have played a
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TABLE III
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE REVIEWED STUDIES: DIAGNOSIS

Game Name Purpose Technologies References

Brain Chi,Pipe,
Improve attention PC,BCI [43],[44],[45]
Dancing Robot,

Exhaust

Armis Improve attention PC,BCI [46]

A 3D Learning Playground Improve attention PC,BCI [47]

Harvest Challenge Improve attention,Suppress impulse PC,BCI [48],[49]

Neurofeedback Space Improve attention PC,BCI [fifty]

Keep Attention Improve attention and memory PC [51]

Boogies Academy,Cuibrain Improve attention Mobile,Tablet PC,Touch interaction [52]

Improve attention,
ATHYNOS AR,Somatosensory interaction [53]

time management and social skills

Improve time management,


Plan-It Commander PC,3D [54],[55]
planning organization

and social skills

- Improve time management


Mobile,Tablet PC,Touch interaction [56]

and task prioritization skills

Improve attention,Suppress impulse,


Braingame Brian PC [58]

Train executive function

Antonyms Suppress impulse PC [59],[60]

Improve attention,Suppress impulse,


The Secret Trail of Moon VR [61]

Train executive function

Reading and Comprehension Improve reading comprehension Mobile,Tablet PC,Touch interaction [62]

ADDventurous
Improve social skills sensor equipment [63],[64]

Rhythmical Planet

Promote emotional regulation


EmoGalaxy PC,Mobile,Tablet PC [65]

and improve social skills


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role in helping children with ADHD strengthen their attention, improve executive studied.
functions, and enhance social communication skills.
V. CONCLUSION

Because electronic games can provide players with rich game scenes and Through the research and investigation of a large number of literatures, this
timely rewards, they greatly arouse the interest of children with ADHD. Most article found that serious games have been able to achieve very significant
importantly, video games can simulate real scenes, and with the development effects in the application of ADHD.Unlike traditional intervention methods, the
of augmented reality and virtual reality, children with ADHD can be placed in a use of gamification has greatly improved the participation and enthusiasm of
more realistic game scene. This is conducive to diagnosis and treatment based children with ADHD.This article starts from the different platforms for developing
on their behaviors and reactions in the game, and the training effect achieved electronic games, studies the development process of electronic games, and
in the game is also conducive to transfer to real life. However, SGADs also makes a detailed analysis of the technology and significance adopted by
have some shortcomings, as detailed below. them.In this article, we have conducted a systematic review of SGADs from
the perspective of diagnosis and treatment, and detailed analysis of the game
mechanism and operation methods of each game, as well as an overview of
the specific effects that these games can achieve. Finally, we made a few
• Addiction to online games.Although it is designed to provide ADHD, video
suggestions, hoping to help SGADs develop better In summary, our work can
games are still carried out in the form of entertainment, and most of the
help people have a more comprehensive understanding of SGADs, and help
people with ADHD are children. Children themselves are easily attracted
researchers develop more effective SGADs.
by video games. Therefore, when using video games to treat ADHD
children, we should not ignore the problem of game addiction.In response
to this problem, we recommend mend that the visual effects of the game
design must not be too eye-catching, otherwise the bright colors are
likely to cause interference to the players. The rules and gameplay of ACKNOWLEDGMENT
the game should also focus on cultivating concentration and suppressing
The work was supported by teaching reform of University
impulse. The characters and scenes of the game should best correspond
of Science and Technology Beijing under JG2020Z08.
to real life, so that video games can play a real role. • Different types of
serious games were applied to different ADHD patients.The majority of
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