Two new independent studies demonstrate the potential for computer and video games to enhance players’ brain functions and increase their overall well-being, bolstering existing research pointing to video games’ positive impacts.
In one study, researchers at the University of Padua in Rome found there may be a correlation between playing action video games and improved individual reading levels among children with dyslexia. In the study, published online in Current Biology, researchers directed one group of 10 dyslexic children to play action video games for nine, 80-minute sessions. A separate group of 10 dyslexic children played non-action games for the same amount of time. The researchers measured participants’ attention levels and reading skills before and after they played to assess the games’ impact.
According to the study, kids who played action games scored significantly higher than those who played non-action games across several measures, including reading speed and accuracy, recognizing words made of random letters, and reaction time. Action game players also scored higher on tests that measured attention by introducing distractions as the children tried to accomplish various visual and auditory tasks.
Our findings… pave the way for low-resource-demanding early prevention programs that could drastically reduce the incidence of reading disorders,” said Dr. Andrea Facoetti, the study’s lead researcher.
In another study, researchers at North Carolina State University (Those guys again) found that elderly video game players demonstrated greater emotional well-being than non-video game players. The study, published online in Computers in Human Behavior, surveyed 140 people over the age of 63 about their video game habits. Researchers separated study participants into three groups based on their reported game play habits – regular gamers, occasional gamers, and non-gamers – and tested them on a variety of measures to assess emotional and social health. The results showed that those who played games regularly felt happier and more positive, suggesting that game play may promote successful ageing.
These and other studies demonstrate that, beyond providing entertainment, today’s interactive games can enhance mental functioning, boost well-being, and improve the quality of life for millions of players. So take THAT to all of the people who claim that computer games are a waste of time and no good for you – in fact, they are!
