Play and Game: Outlining Playful Practices in the Scenarios of Stimulation and Rehabilitation of Executive Functions

The chapter addresses the increasing use of the digital universe, including apps, gamified environments, and games, and its role in neuropsychological rehabilitation. The focus is on the use of digital games as tools to stimulate cognitive functions, especially executive functions. Scientific evidence indicates that stimulation and rehabilitation mediated by digital games can improve performance on tasks related to executive functions. The motivating, playful, and interactive nature of games contributes to children’s engagement, making them applicable in both therapeutic and home settings. For example, digital games are seen as a safe and beneficial alternative for the treatment of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, there is a need to develop more environmentally friendly digital games that promote learning and rehabilitation playfully and interactively. This requires collaboration between game development researchers, educators, and neuropsychologists to expand research in this area. Creating collaborative networks and conducting studies with larger samples are essential to validate the findings and inform the process of digital game development. In summary, the chapter highlights the promising use of digital games as tools to stimulate cognition.