Summary: According to researchers, playing video games that involve physical activity can help to boost memory and brain health as we age.
Source: University of Manchester.
Video games which involve physical activity significantly boost our brain health as we get older, according to new research led by University of Manchester experts.
Study authors Dr Emma Stanmore and Joseph Firth say systems that use physical activity for gaming such as Wii, and Xbox Kinect can boost brain functioning in people with neurological impairment, as well as keeping our minds healthy and active as we age.
In the first ever analysis of all published evidence, the researchers aggregated data from 17 clinical trials examining the effects of active gaming on cognitive functioning across 926 people.
It is published in the journal Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, and was a collaboration between The University of Manchester, King’s College London, KU Leuven and ETH Zurich.
Joseph Firth said: “As people age, their brain functioning, such as memory, concentration and spatial awareness naturally decline.
“Various neurological conditions such Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia can also impede people’s cognitive functioning and reduce their ability to function day to day.
“Recently, there has been much interest in using active video games in the rehabilitation of these conditions, and to promote healthy aging.
“So we were fascinated to learn that the available evidence shows how these sort of games can significantly improve overall cognitive functioning, and is particularly beneficial for attention, executive functioning and visuospatial abilities.
“Physically-active video games have, according to our research, greater impact on brain functioning than regular physical activity alone – suggesting that their benefits are more than just moving around.”
Dr Stanmore has just completed a randomised controlled trial in 18 sites in Manchester and Glasgow.
The trial showed that MIRA games improved balance, pain and fear of falling after 12 weeks’ use.
She said: “Our research shows the potential of active video games that can be used independently at home and remotely supervised by therapists .
“The brain benefits may be because these activities are physically demanding, while also requiring concentration and cognitive effort, resulting in positive effects for body and brain.
“We hope this research will encourage the NHS and social services to take up active gaming as part of their support packages- as some are already starting to do.”
Source: University of Manchester
Image Source: NeuroscienceNews.com image is adapted from the University of Manchester news release.
Original Research: Full open access research for “The effect of active video games on cognitive functioning in clinical and non-clinical populations: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” by Emma Stanmore, Brendon Stubbs, Davy Vancampfort, Eling D. de Bruin, and Joseph Firth in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. Published online April 23 2017 doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.04.011
[cbtabs][cbtab title=”MLA”]University of Manchester “Active Gaming is Good For Brain Health and Memory.” NeuroscienceNews. NeuroscienceNews, 3 May 2017.
<https://neurosciencenews.com/gaming-memory-brain-health-6578/>.[/cbtab][cbtab title=”APA”]University of Manchester (2017, May 3). Active Gaming is Good For Brain Health and Memory. NeuroscienceNew. Retrieved May 3, 2017 from https://neurosciencenews.com/gaming-memory-brain-health-6578/[/cbtab][cbtab title=”Chicago”]University of Manchester “Active Gaming is Good For Brain Health and Memory.” https://neurosciencenews.com/gaming-memory-brain-health-6578/ (accessed May 3, 2017).[/cbtab][/cbtabs]
Abstract
The effect of active video games on cognitive functioning in clinical and non-clinical populations: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Physically-active video games (‘exergames’) have recently gained popularity for leisure and entertainment purposes. Using exergames to combine physical activity and cognitively-demanding tasks may offer a novel strategy to improve cognitive functioning. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to establish effects of exergames on overall cognition and specific cognitive domains in clinical and non-clinical populations. We identified 17 eligible RCTs with cognitive outcome data for 926 participants. Random-effects meta-analyses found exergames significantly improved global cognition (g = 0.436, 95% CI = 0.18–0.69, p = 0.001). Significant effects still existed when excluding waitlist-only controlled studies, and when comparing to physical activity interventions. Furthermore, benefits of exergames where observed for both healthy older adults and clinical populations with conditions associated with neurocognitive impairments (all p < 0.05). Domain-specific analyses found exergames improved executive functions, attentional processing and visuospatial skills. The findings present the first meta-analytic evidence for effects of exergames on cognition. Future research must establish which patient/treatment factors influence efficacy of exergames, and explore neurobiological mechanisms of action.
“The effect of active video games on cognitive functioning in clinical and non-clinical populations: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials” by Emma Stanmore, Brendon Stubbs, Davy Vancampfort, Eling D. de Bruin, and Joseph Firth in Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. Published online April 23 2017 doi:10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.04.011
