The advancing age factor significantly amplifies the risk of various debilitating health conditions encompassing both physical and mental spheres, with profound economic implications. Alzheimer’s disease, a form of dementia characterized by severe impairments in memory, cognition, and behavior, stands as a prominent example. The United Nations' World Population Prospects reported a staggering 962 million individuals aged 60 and above globally in 2017, constituting approximately 13% of the global population.
Moreover, projections by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that the population aged 60 years and older will likely double from 12% in 2000 to an estimated 22% by 2050. Specifically, in the United States, over 20% of the population is anticipated to be aged 65 years or older by 2030. This demographic shift towards an increasingly aged population significantly impacts the neurorehabilitation gaming systems market due to the heightened vulnerability of older individuals to neurological disorders. Reports from the American Federation for Aging Research underline the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, affecting one in nine Americans above the age of 65. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s stands as the fifth leading cause of mortality among adults aged over 65, as noted by the same organization. Similarly, strokescenter.org statistics reveal that nearly three-quarters of all strokes occur in individuals over the age of 65. In March 2017, a systematic review published in the Journal of Sports and Health Science highlighted the potential of active video games (AVG) as rehabilitative tools for older patients. This review showcased randomized controlled trials indicating the positive effects of AVG-based rehabilitation on various facets of physical, psychological, and cognitive functioning among the elderly.
The swelling number of elderly individuals, coupled with an upsurge in research endeavors aimed at unraveling the benefits of neurorehabilitation gaming in enhancing the lives of the aged populace and restoring cognitive functions, serves as the impetus behind the market’s growth. The simultaneous rise in geriatric demographics and the expanding body of research exploring the potential of neurorehabilitation gaming systems for elderly populations signify a promising trajectory for market expansion. This intersection of demographic shifts and progressive research activities augurs well for advancements in neurorehabilitation strategies tailored to benefit the elderly, fostering optimism for the market’s continued growth and innovation.