Effects of video game training on cognition in the elderly: systematic review

Authors

  • Simone A. C. das Neves Assis Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul
  • Ângelo José Gonçalves Bós Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul , Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia , Programa de Pós Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica .
  • Jociane de Carvalho Myskiw Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS. Centro de Memória , Instituto do Cérebro, PUCRS
  • Marcio Sarroglia Pinho Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Computação da Faculdade de Informática da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS).
  • Irenio Gomes da Silva Filho Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Computação da Faculdade de Informática da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.
  • Carla Helena Augustin Schwanke Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.
  • Ivan Antonio Izquierdo Faculdade de Medicina da PUCRS e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2015.3.21636

Keywords:

aged, video games, cognitive training, cognition, cognitive performance.

Abstract

Aims: To perform a systematic review of the literature on the effect of video game training on cognition in the elderly.

Methods: The search was conducted using LILACS, SciELO, PsyINFO and PubMed databases in both English and Portuguese. The search term used were video game training, combined with the following: cognition, cognitive effects, cognitive performance, cognitive plasticity, cognitive tests. The inclusion criteria consisted of intervention studies on video game training, original articles in English or Portuguese, full-text availability, and target population older people. Studies that failed to meet these criteria were excluded. Articles from 2005 to 2015 were collected, and the review was performed between January 2015 and July 2015.

Results: Seventy articles were found, but only twenty-one met the selection criteria. Of the 21 articles included in the study, only 7 studies (33%) revealed statistically significant improvement in speed of processing, sustained attention and alert, working visuospatial memory, cognitive flexibility, immediate and delayed visual memory, visual-motor coordination and visuospatial ability between the research groups (p<0.05). Other results were found in relation to the methodology of the studies. Of the 21 studies, 11 studies (52%) were performed with training of short duration (1-6 weeks) and total time of training ranging between 4.5 and 23.5 hours. Ten studies (47%) were performed with training of long duration (7-12 weeks) total time of training between 12 and 36 hours. The short duration training showed better performance.

Conclusions: The total time required for training was the main finding of this systematic review. Cognitive intervention using short duration training (between one and six weeks) with video games in a total time between 4.5 and 23.5 hours is effective in elderly participants. This length time between the minimum and maximum time of cognitive intervention is necessary and sufficient for the consolidation of systems and acquisition of a learning in aging. The cognitive effects observed in the studies suggest that the aging brain is able to acquire, maintain and even enrich new learnings.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Simone A. C. das Neves Assis, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia PUCRS

Centro de Memória - Instituto de Pesquisas Biomédicas  PUCRS 

Ângelo José Gonçalves Bós, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul , Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia , Programa de Pós Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica .

Médico Geriatra. Pós-Doutorado em Medicina com ênfase em Saúde Comunitária pela Tokai University, Japão e Professor Adjunto do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.  

Jociane de Carvalho Myskiw, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS. Centro de Memória , Instituto do Cérebro, PUCRS

Bacharel em Educação Física. Pós-Doutorado (PNPD) pela PUCRS. Professora Adjunta do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.  

Marcio Sarroglia Pinho, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Computação da Faculdade de Informática da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS).

Cientista da Computação. Phd em Ciências da Computação UFRGS. Professor Adjunto do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Computação da Faculdade de Informática da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.  

Irenio Gomes da Silva Filho, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Computação da Faculdade de Informática da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.

Médico Neurologista. Pós-Doutorado Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Bicêtre, CHUB, França. Coordenador e  Professor Adjunto do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências da Computação da Faculdade de Informática da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS. 

 

Carla Helena Augustin Schwanke, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.

Médica Geriatra. Phd em Gerontologia Biomédica PUCRS. Professora Adjunta do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.  

Ivan Antonio Izquierdo, Faculdade de Medicina da PUCRS e Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.

7Médico.Professor Titular de Medicina, coordenador do Centro de Memória e coordenador de Altos Estudos do Instituto do Cérebro da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul. Professor Titular da Faculdade de Medicina da PUCRS. Orientador do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Gerontologia Biomédica do Instituto de Geriatria e Gerontologia da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS). Porto Alegre, RS.  

References

Toril P, Reales JM, Ballesteros S. Video game training enhances cognition of older adults: a meta-analytic study. Psychol Aging. 2014;29(3):706-16. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0037507

Cameron HA, McKay RD. Adult neurogenesis produces a large pool of new granule cells in the dentate gyrus. J Comp Neurol. 2001;435(4):406e417.

Strenziok M, Parasuraman R, Clarke E, Cisler DS, Thompson JC, Greenwood PM. Neurocognitive enhancement in older adults: Comparison of three cognitive training tasks to test a hypothesis of training transfer in brain connectivity. NeuroImage. 2014;85:1027-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.07.069

Salthouse TA. The processing speed theory of adult age differences in cognition. Psychol Rev. 1996;103:403-28. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0033-295X.103.3.403

Boot WR, Champion M, Blakely DP, Wright T, Souders DJ, Charness N. Video games as a means to reduce age-related cognitive decline: attitudes, compliance, and effectiveness. Front Psychol. 2013;4:31. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00031

Kühn S, Gleich T, Lorenz RC, Lindenberger U, Gallinat J. Playing Super Mario induces structural brain plasticity: gray matter changes resulting from training with a commercial video game. Mol Psychiatry. 2014;19:265-71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/mp.2013.120

Clark JE, Lamphear AK, Riddick CC. The effects of videogame playing on the response selection processing of elderly adults. J Gerontol. 1987;42:82-85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geronj/42.1.82

Belchior PDC. Cognitive training with video games to improve driving skills and driving safety among older adults [dissertation]. Dissertation Abstract International: The Science and Engineering. 2008;68:(9-B).

Ball K, Owsley C, Sloane M, Roenker D, Bruni J. Visual attention problems as a predictor of vehicle crashes in older drivers. Invest. Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 1993;34:3110-23.

Diehl M., Willis SL, Schaie KW. Everyday problem solving in older adults: Observational assessment and cognitive correlates. Psychol Aging. 1995;10:478-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.10.3.478

Drew B, Waters J. Video games: Utilization of a novel strategy to improve perceptual motor skills and cognitive functioning in the non-institutionalized elderly. Cognitive Rehabilitation.1986;4(2):26-31.

Torres A. Cognitive effects of video games on older people. International Conference on Disability, Virtual Reality & Associated Technologies [Abstract]. 2008;19:191-8.

Royall DR, Palmer R, Chiodo LK, Polk MJ. Declining executive control in normal aging predicts change in functional status: the freedom house study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2004;52:346-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2004.52104.x

Anguera JA, Boccanfuso J, Rintoul JL, Al-Hashimi O, Faraji F, Janowich J, Kong E, Larraburo Y, Rolle C, Johnston E, Gazzaley A. Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults. Nature. 2013;501(7465):97-101. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature12486

Nikolaidis A, Voss MW, Lee H, VO LT, Kramer AF. Parietal plasticity after training with a complex video game is associated with individual differences in improvements in an untrained working memory task. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:169. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00169

Goh JO, Park DC. Neuroplasticity and cognitive aging: the scaffolding theory of aging and cognition. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2009;27(5):391-403. http://dx.doi.org/10.3233/RNN-2009-0493

Cameirão MS, Badia SB, Oller ED, Verschure PF. Neurorehabilitation using the virtual reality based Rehabilitation Gaming System: methodology, design, psychometrics, usability and validation. J Neuroeng Rehabil. 2010;7:48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1743-0003-7-48

Rönnlund M, Nyberg L, Bäckman L, Nilsson LG. Stability, growth and decline in adult life span development of declarative memory: Cross-sectional and longitudinal data from a population-based study. Psychol Aging. 2005;20:3-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.20.1.3

Simon SS, Yokomizo JE, Bottino CM.Cognitive intervention in amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: a systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2012;36(4):1163-78. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.01.007

Nilsson LG. Memory function in normal aging. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 2003;179:7-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1034/j.1600-0404.107.s179.5.x

Bahar-Fuchs A, Clare L, Woods B. Cognitive training and cognitive rehabilitation for mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013;6:CD003260. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003260.pub2

Hampstead BM, Stringer AY, Stilla RF, Deshpande G, Hu X, Moore AB, Sathian K. Activation and effective connectivity changes following explicit-memory training for face-name pairs in patients with mild cognitive impairment: a pilot study. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2011;25(3):210-22. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1545968310382424

Kueider AM, Parisi JM, Gross AL, Rebok GW.Computerized Cognitive Training with Older Adults: A Systematic Review. PLoS One. 2012;7(7):e40588. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040588

Liberati A, Altman DG, Tetzlaff J, Mulrow C, Gøtzsche PC, Ioannidis JP, Clarke M, Devereaux PJ, Kleijnen J, Moher D. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. PLoS Med. 2009 Jul 21;6(7):e1000100. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1000100.

Lampit A, Hallock H, Valenzuela M. Computerized cognitive training in cognitively healthy older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of effect modifiers. PLoS Med. 2014;11(11):e1001756. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001756

Peretz C, Korczyn AD, Shatil E, Aharonson V, Birnboim S, Giladi N. Computer-base d, personalized cognitive training versus classical computer games: a randomized double-blind prospective trial of cognitive stimulation. Neuroepidemiology. 2011;36(2):91-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000323950

Stern Y, Blumen HM, Leigh W, Alexis R ,Herzberg G,Gopher D. Space Fortress game training and executive control in older adults: A pilot intervention. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2011;18(6):653-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2011.613450

Kim KW, Choi Y, You H, Na DL, Yoh MS, Park JK, Seo JH, Ko MH. Effects of a serious game training on cognitive functions in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2015; 63(3):603-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jgs.13304

Hughes TF, Flatt JD, Bo Fu, Butters MA, Chang CCH, Ganguli M. Interactive video gaming compared with health education in older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a feasibility study. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2014; 29: 890–898. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/gps.4075

Sosa, G. The impact of video game intervention in the cognitive functioning, self-efficacy, self-esteen and video games attitude of older adults . A final project. CUG Theses and Dissertations (2011).

Fernández-Calvo B,Rodríguez-Pérez R, Contador I, Rubio-Santorumy A, Ramos F. Eficacia del entrenamiento cognitivo basado en nuevas tecnologias en pacientes con demencia tipo Alzheimer. Psicothema. 2011;23:44-50.

Maillot P, Perrot A, Hartley A. Effects of interactive physical-activity video-game training on physical and cognitive function in older adults. Psychol Aging. 2012;27(3):589-600. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0026268

McGaugh JL. Time-dependent processes in memory storage. Science. 1966;153:1351-8. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.153.3742.1351

Izquierdo I. Different forms of posttraining memory processing. Behav Neural Biol. 1989;51:171-202. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0163-1047(89)90812-1

Izquierdo I. Memória. 2ª ed. Porto Alegre: Artmed. 2011.

Izquierdo I, Medina JH. Memory formation, the sequence of biochemical events in the hippocampus and its connection to activity in other brain structures. Neurobiol Memory. 1997;68:285-316. http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/nlme.1997.3799

Izquierdo I, Bevilaqua L, Rossato JL, Bonini JS, Medina JH, Cammarota M. Different molecular cascades in different sites of the brain control consolidation. Trends Neurosci. 2006;29:496-505. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tins.2006.07.005

Luscher C, Nicoll RA, Malenka RC, Muller D. Synaptic plasticity and dynamic modulation of the postsynaptic membrane. Nat Neurosci. 2000;3:545-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/75714

EbbingHaus H. On Memory. New York. 1964: Dover Edition (Original Work Published, 1885).

Wang Z, Zhou R, Shah P. Spaced cognitive training promotes training transfer. Front Hum Neurosci. 2014;8:217. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00217

Penner IK, Vogt A, Stöcklin M, Gschwind L, Opwis K, Calabrese P. Computerised working memory training in healthy adults: a comparison of two different training schedules. Neuropsychol Rehabil. 2012;22(5):716-33. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09602011.2012.686883

Nouchi R, Taki Y, Takeuchi H, Hashizume H, Akitsuki Y,Shigemune Y, Sekiguchi A, Kotozaki Y, Tsukiura T, Yomogida Y, Kawashima R. Brain Training Game Improves Executive Functions and Processing Speed in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS One. 2012;7(1):e29676. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0029676

Altschuler EL,Wisdom SB, Stone L, Foster C, Galasko D, Llewellyn DME, RamachandranVS. Rehabilitation of hemiparesis after stroke with a mirror. Lancet. 1999;353:2035-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(99)00920-4

Kwakkel G, Van Peppen R, Wagenaar RC, Wood Dauphinee S, Richards C, Ashburn A, Miller K, Linclon N, Partridge C, Wellwood I, Langhorne P.Effects of augmented exercise therapy time after stroke: a meta-analysis. Stroke. 2004;35:2529-39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1161/01.STR.0000143153.76460.7d

August K, Lewis JA, Chandar G, Merians A, Biswal B, Adamovich S. FMRI analysis of neural mechanisms underlying rehabilitation in virtual reality: activating secondary motor areas. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2006;1:3692-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/IEMBS.2006.260144

Ertelt D, Small S, Solodkin A, Dettmers C, McNamara A, Binkofski F, Buccino G. Action observation has a positive impact on rehabilitation of motor deficits after stroke. Neuroimage. 2007;36(Suppl 2):T164-73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.03.043

D'Amato, R.C., Hartlage, L.C. Essentials of neuropsychological assessment. New York: Springer; 2008.

Cassavaugh ND, Kramer AF. Transfer of computer-based training to simulated driving in older adults. Appl Ergon. 2009; 40(5):943-52. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2009.02.001

Bozoki A, Radovanovic M, Winn B, Heeter C, Anthony JC. Effects of a computer based cognitive exercise program on age-related cognitive decline. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2013;57(1):1-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2013.02.009

Basak C, Boot WR, Voss MW, Kramer AF. Can training in a real-time strategy video game attenuate cognitive decline in older adults? Psychol Aging. 2008;23(4):765-77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0013494

Mayas J, Parmentier FBR, Andrés P, Ballesteros S. Plasticity of Attentional Functions in Older Adults after Non-Action Video Game Training: A Randomized Controlled Trial. PLoS One. 2014;9(3):e92269. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0092269

Van Muijden J, Guido PH.B, Hommel B. Online games training aging brains: limited transfer to cognitive control functions. Front Hum Neurosci. 2012;6:221. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00221

Ballesteros S, Prieto A ,Mayas J, Toril P, Pita C, Ponce de León L, Reales JM, Waterworth J. Brain training with non-action video games enhances aspects of cognition in older adults: a randomized controlled trial. Front Aging Neurosci. 2014;6:277. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2014.00277

Ackerman PL, Kanfer R,Calderwood C. Use it or Lose it? Wii Brain Exercise Practice and Reading for Domain Knowledge. Psychol Aging. 2010;25(4):753-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0019277

Nacke LE, Nacke A, Lindley CA. Brain training for silver gamers: effects of age and game form on effectiveness, efficiency, self-assessment, and game play experience. Cyberpsychol Behav. 2009;12(5):493-9. http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2009.0013

McDougall S, House B. Brain training in older adults: evidence of transfer to memory span performance and pseudo-Matthew effects. Neuropsychol Dev Cogn B Aging Neuropsychol Cogn. 2012;19(1-2):195-221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2011.640656

Downloads

Published

2015-11-17

How to Cite

das Neves Assis, S. A. C., Bós, Ângelo J. G., Myskiw, J. de C., Pinho, M. S., da Silva Filho, I. G., Schwanke, C. H. A., & Izquierdo, I. A. (2015). Effects of video game training on cognition in the elderly: systematic review. Scientia Medica, 25(3), ID21636. https://doi.org/10.15448/1980-6108.2015.3.21636

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 3 (2015)

Section

Review Articles

License

Copyright

The submission of originals to Scientia Medica implies the transfer by the authors of the right for publication. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication. If the authors wish to include the same data into another publication, they must cite Scientia Medica as the site of original publication.

Creative Commons License

Except where otherwise specified, material published in this journal is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, which allows unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original publication is correctly cited.

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>