Dynamic changes in total hemoglobin concentration in the frontal region during motion-based video gameplay in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a pilot study using portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study aimed to investigate the changes in frontal hemoglobin concentration during motion-based video gaming in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and to provide preliminary findings regarding the immediate effects of video gaming on cognitive function in this population. We measured changes in total hemoglobin concentration in the left and right frontal regions during rest and gaming using portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The Stroop test was administered before and after the intervention as a measure of selective attention, which is a component of cognitive function. Completion time and scores were recorded for the Color Naming (CN) and Incongruent Color Naming (ICN) tasks.

RESULTS: Nine patients with DMD participated in a motion-based badminton game. The total hemoglobin concentration changes were significantly higher during rest periods than during gameplay (left: p < 0.001, r = 0.24; right: p < 0.001, r = 0.33). Stroop completion time significantly decreased after the intervention for both CN (p = 0.034, d = 0.78) and ICN (p = 0.028, r = 0.73) tasks. Future studies are warranted to increase the sample size and conduct a randomized controlled trial with a control group. Trial registration University hospital Medical Information Network (UMINCTR, UMIN000060957). Retrospectively registered on March 23, 2026.