Video games have been a hot-button topic for years. You’ve probably heard the argument: Playing too many video games rots your mind. It prevents you from getting enough exercise and can be bad for your health.
New research suggests that those criticisms aren’t always accurate. Some studies now indicate that video games might have a positive impact on older adults experiencing certain cognitive disorders.
The University of Utah Receives Grant to Study Impact of Video Games
The University of Utah has received a $7.5 million grant for five years that allows researchers to study the impact of gaming on seniors who are fighting depression. The study will focus on adults from ages 60 to 85.
Previous research has found that video games can positively affect seniors battling depression. From 60 to 70 percent of older adults who did not benefit from antidepressants experienced a 50 percent decrease in their depressive symptoms within 30 days of starting a video game-based treatment program.
Patients can participate in the study remotely, with their doctor monitoring their progress. This will be a multisite study, with the University of Connecticut also participating.
Previous clinical trials related to video games and mental health found that gaming for seniors helped reduce depression and isolation in people between the ages of 60 and 85.
Therapeutic Video Games vs. Commercial Video Games
A study published in the journal JMIR Serious Games reports that commercial video games can have a positive impact on a person’s mental health, especially if they are unable to access traditional treatment methods.
Glenn Platt, PhD, is a professor of emerging technology at Miami University in Ohio. He had the following to say about therapeutic video games versus commercial video games:
“A critical quality of a game…is that it is played voluntarily…people play commercial video games because they want to. And as such, the beneficial aspects of these games (in terms of anxiety and depression) are bestowed as a byproduct of their fun, and not the outcome of their game’ homework.”
What Are the Mental Benefits of Playing Video Games?
No matter the age, playing video games can have multiple mental benefits for the gamer. Some of these include the following:
Feeling of Accomplishment
Your overall well-being can benefit from gaming because of the sense of accomplishment you feel when winning a game. Video games have goals you need to attain, and doing so brings satisfaction.
Mental Stimulation
Almost every corner of your brain works when you play a video game, stimulating your mind and making you think. Depending on its complexity, the video game might force you to analyze situations quickly, strategize, and think harder.
You can develop your critical thinking skills and improve your overall brain development when playing video games.
Improved Social Interaction
You can still interact socially when playing video games, especially when playing multiplayer or online games. The internet has become a haven for online gamers, who can socially interact with people of all ages while playing their favorite games.
Recovery from Mental Health Issues
The benefits of gaming have been found to help those who suffer from the following:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Playing a video game can distract you from the trauma of a previous mental health issue.
Improved Emotional Resiliency
Losing in a video game can be frustrating, especially when trying your hardest. Learning how to deal with losing can improve your emotional resiliency.
This is an important trait for children to develop. Learning how to deal with losing and then trying again until you succeed can help you build resiliency.
Where Will Treatment Be in Five Years?
Researchers believe that those suffering from cognitive disabilities will be able to use prescription mobile apps and video games to treat those issues. How this will help gaming for seniors battling depression is yet to be seen.
