Scenario Design for Serious Games in MSD Prevention: Methods and Recommendations

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) remain a significant occupational health issue, prompting growing interest in digital training tools such as serious games (SGs). This article presents a structured framework for designing SG scenarios focused on MSD prevention. Based on literature and three case studies—SG4H@W, Safe & Move, and Safe@Work—the study identifies key design principles: defining the target audience, setting pedagogical objectives, aligning game mechanics with learning goals, and ensuring user engagement through interactive and realistic scenarios. The findings emphasize the importance of modularity, narrative relevance, and accessible interfaces in scenario development. The proposed recommendations aim to assist designers, ergonomists, and stakeholders in creating SGs that are both pedagogically sound and contextually applicable, thereby enhancing MSD prevention efforts.