The effects of exergaming on empathy for pain

Evidence from an event-related potential study

Bibliographic Data

ID9405661
AuthorsBiye Wang (0000-0002-0982-8440, Yangzhou University), Shiqi Yu (0000-0001-6136-5183, Yangzhou University), Sunan Yu, Gordon Cheng (0000-0003-0770-8717, Yangzhou University), Guolin Cheng, Yajie Si (Yangzhou University), Wei Guo (0000-0002-4888-4816, Yangzhou University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Volume261
Pages105830-105830
Publication date2025-10-28
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueActa Psychologica (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105830
PMID41161038
OpenAlexW4415626610
LanguageEN
References cited50

Although aerobic exercise modulates self-experienced pain, its impact on empathy for pain remains unclear. Moreover, whether exergaming, which combines exercise with interactive gaming, influences empathy-related neural responses is unknown. The present study investigated the effects of exergaming on the neural mechanisms underlying empathy for pain, comparing them with those of conventional aerobic exercise (cycling) and a non-active control condition. A total of ninety-one participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: exergaming (Nintendo Fitness Ring Adventure), moderate intensity cycling, or rest. After a 30-min intervention, participants completed a pain judgement task while event-related potentials (ERP) were recorded. Behavioral outcomes (reaction time, accuracy, pain intensity, and emotional valence ratings) and ERP components (N1, P2, N2, P3, LPP) were analyzed. Results revealed that both exergaming and cycling enhanced emotional valence ratings for painful images relative to the control condition. ERP analyses demonstrate that exergaming significantly amplified late-stage components (P3 and LPP) in response to painful stimuli, indicating enhanced cognitive appraisal processes associated with empathy for pain, while early components (N1, P2, N2) remain unaffected across conditions. These findings suggest that exergaming, through its combination of multisensory and cognitive engagement, uniquely enhances cognitive empathy for pain

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