Playing video games can improve brain function, study shows

Video games, often cited as a barrier to studies, were rated as follows in a recent survey by Georgia State University (GSU) in the USA: a useful tool for developing superior sensorimotor decision-making skills and improving activities in key brain regions frequent players.

For the researcher involved in the Mukesh Dhamala study, although video games are routinely played “more than three hours a week by the overwhelming majority of our youth,” there is no research into the possible beneficial effects of activity on decision making. skills and functioning. brain.

The paper’s lead author, Tim Jordan, a doctor of physics and astronomy at GSU, had visual impairment in his left eye as a child and was encouraged to close his good eye and play video games to strengthen the vision of the weak. Today, changed from being legally blind in his left eye to strong visual processing abilitythat the researcher attributes to experience as an actor.

How did the researchers evaluate the brain activity of the players?

To test their hypothesis, the researchers worked with 47 college-aged participants, 28 of whom were classified as regular gamers and 19 of whom were classified as non-gamers. All subjects were placed in a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine with an adapted mirror.

Moving spots were shown on the “screen”. The instruction was to press a button on the right or left hand according to the direction of movement of the dots, or not press anything while stationary.

Tests completed, Frequent video game players were faster and more accurate in their responses. For the authors, “playing video games potentially improves several of the subprocesses of sensation, perception, and action mapping to improve decision-making skills.” This places the video game as a potential candidate for cognitive training in decision making, the study concludes.

ARTICLE Neuroimaging: Reports – DOI: 10.1016/j.ynirp.2022.100112