Since the first video game in history was released, various conservative movements have attempted to demonize this form of entertainment. Starting with supposed problems of aggressiveness favored by video games, up to the possibility of creating addiction —although the latter does depend on many factors—. However, in recent years it has been shown that this medium can have many positive consequenceslike the one we bring you today.
A few days ago we also told you how video games can help you find what you’re good at. Today, we bring an answer that drinks directly from playing high-intensity titles. Of course, spending so many hours in front of the screen is not good for your health, but researchers have shown that, those who invest moderate time in them, can see benefits long-term.
Specifically, researchers have found benefits in taking quick decision making, improved cognitive skills and an increase in reflexes of the players. They also believe that this discovery could help in the treatment of people who have suffered neurological damage.
The benefits of video games in cognitive training
The study was carried out by researchers at Georgia State University, and led by researcher Mukesh Dhamala of the Institute of Neurosciences. According to Dhamala, “Video games are played by young people for more than three hours a week, but the exact benefits of decision-making skills are not exactly known.”
This is why Dhamala has taken on the job of making these benefits known to a wider audience. With the advice of the latter, Timothy Jordan led the authorship of the scientific publication where you can learn more about the research.
The study population was 47 college-age people. Among these, 28 played video games on a regular basis, while the other 19 did not play at all. Likewise, those who did dedicate time to this medium were selected for playing first-person shooter titles, real-time strategy and games of the type battle royalee — as fortnite—.
Study Results
Participants were asked to press a series of buttons according to the direction of movement of icons on the screen. Those who already had experience playing proved to be faster and more accurate when executing the movements. Using MRI it was found that this activated certain parts of the participants’ brains.
All activated regions were parts of the brain involved in cognitive processing. These include the left thalamus, the right supplementary motor area, and the right lingual gyrus.
These results indicate that playing video games can enhance several of the sensation, perception, and action assignment threads to improve decision-making ability.
Mukesh Dhamala and Timothy Jordan for publication
So how does this help people who have suffered from neurological impairment? According to the results of the researchers, this training of the cognitive area would not be the only benefit. In addition to this, video games could serve as therapies to strengthen sensorimotor decision making.
In fact, Timothy Jordan can prove the benefits of this practice. At the age of five he had one eye weaker than the other. It was then that he was given the opportunity to participate in a study that involved covering his “good” eye, and play video games using only the one that was lagging behind. The reason was simple: to train the visual processing of the young person.
Fortunately, the study paid off. Since then, Jordan was no longer considered blind legally speaking, enjoying good vision in both eyes. Of course, research continues, but it seems that science is taking steps in the right direction by addressing this medium. Of course, do not exaggerate with the time you spend playing, because that would be detrimental to your health.