Effects of Cognitive Interventions with Video Games on Cognition in Healthy Elderly People: a Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Arq Neuropsiquiatr

Publisher Thieme

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2023 May 31

PMID 37257469

Authors

Graciela Akina Ishibashi

Gabriela Dos Santos

Ana Paula Bagli Moreira

Cassia Elisa Rossetto Verga

Guilherme Alves da Silva

Tiago Nascimento Ordonez

Luiz Carlos de Moraes

Patricia Prata Lessa

Sonia Maria Dozzi Brucki

Thais Bento Lima da Silva

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Currently, studies using video games as an intervention to improve cognitive functions in the elderly are on the rise.

Objective: To investigate and evaluate the effects of cognitive interventions using video games on cognition in healthy elderly people published in the last ten years.

Methods: A systematic review involving a qualitative analysis carried out between July and September 2021on the SciELO, LILACS and MEDLINE databases..

Results: A total of 262 articles were identified in the initial search. After exclusion of duplicates, analysis of titles/abstracts and of the full text, a final total of 9 studies were included in the review. The objectives of the studies included investigating the effects on cognition of cognitive training (CT) programs using video games compared to programs using entertainment games or to low-intensity CT games. Despite the growing number of studies, many of them were focused on cognitive rehabilitation in elderly people with some degree of cognitive impairment, and few involved training among healthy elderly people.

Conclusion: According to the studies analyzed, the interventions involving CT with video games promoted significant improvements in processing speed and working memory, but no improvements in executive functions.

Citing Articles

Cognitive interventions for healthy older adults: A systematic meta-review.

Velloso V, Latge-Tovar S, Bomilcar I, Mograbi D Int J Clin Health Psychol. 2025; 25(1):100538.

PMID: 39877892 PMC: 11770512. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijchp.2024.100538.

Video Gaming in Older People: What Are the Implications for Cognitive Functions?.

DellOsso L, Nardi B, Massoni L, Battaglini S, De Felice C, Bonelli C Brain Sci. 2024; 14(7).

PMID: 39061471 PMC: 11274634. DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14070731.

References

Ratcliffe E, Pickering S, McLean S, Lewis J . Is there a relationship between subacromial impingement syndrome and scapular orientation? A systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2013; 48(16):1251-6. DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2013-092389. View

Mansor N, Chow C, Halaki M . Cognitive effects of video games in older adults and their moderators: a systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression. Aging Ment Health. 2019; 24(6):841-856. DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2019.1574710. View

Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, Altman D . Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med. 2009; 6(7):e1000097. PMC: 2707599. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097. View

Downs S, Black N . The feasibility of creating a checklist for the assessment of the methodological quality both of randomised and non-randomised studies of health care interventions. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1998; 52(6):377-84. PMC: 1756728. DOI: 10.1136/jech.52.6.377. View

West R, Rabin L, Silverman J, Moshier E, Sano M, Beeri M . Short-term computerized cognitive training does not improve cognition compared to an active control in non-demented adults aged 80 years and above. Int Psychogeriatr. 2019; 32(1):65-73. DOI: 10.1017/S1041610219000267. View

Yeo S, Lee T, Sng W, Heo M, Bautista D, Cheung Y . Effectiveness of a Personalized Brain-Computer Interface System for Cognitive Training in Healthy Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018; 66(1):127-138. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180450. View

Toril P, Reales J, Mayas J, Ballesteros S . Video Game Training Enhances Visuospatial Working Memory and Episodic Memory in Older Adults. Front Hum Neurosci. 2016; 10:206. PMC: 4859063. DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2016.00206. View

Smith G, Housen P, Yaffe K, Ruff R, Kennison R, Mahncke H . A cognitive training program based on principles of brain plasticity: results from the Improvement in Memory with Plasticity-based Adaptive Cognitive Training (IMPACT) study. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2009; 57(4):594-603. PMC: 4169294. DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.02167.x. View

Belchior P, Marsiske M, Leite W, Yam A, Thomas K, Mann W . Older Adults' Engagement During an Intervention Involving Off-the-Shelf Videogame. Games Health J. 2016; 5(3):151-6. PMC: 5079422. DOI: 10.1089/g4h.2015.0049. View

10.

Dassen F, Houben K, van Breukelen G, Jansen A . Gamified working memory training in overweight individuals reduces food intake but not body weight. Appetite. 2017; 124:89-98. DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2017.05.009. View

11.

Lee T, Goh S, Quek S, Phillips R, Guan C, Cheung Y . A brain-computer interface based cognitive training system for healthy elderly: a randomized control pilot study for usability and preliminary efficacy. PLoS One. 2013; 8(11):e79419. PMC: 3832588. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079419. View

12.

Bonnechere B, Langley C, Sahakian B . The use of commercial computerised cognitive games in older adults: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2020; 10(1):15276. PMC: 7498601. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72281-3. View

13.

Perrot A, Maillot P, Hartley A . Cognitive Training Game Versus Action Videogame: Effects on Cognitive Functions in Older Adults. Games Health J. 2018; 8(1):35-40. DOI: 10.1089/g4h.2018.0010. View

14.

Simon S, Tusch E, Feng N, Hakansson K, Mohammed A, Daffner K . Is Computerized Working Memory Training Effective in Healthy Older Adults? Evidence from a Multi-Site, Randomized Controlled Trial. J Alzheimers Dis. 2018; 65(3):931-949. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180455. View

15.

Benjamin D, van de Water A, Peiris C . Effects of exercise on diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscle in the antenatal and postnatal periods: a systematic review. Physiotherapy. 2013; 100(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2013.08.005. View

16.

Ordonez T, Borges F, Kanashiro C, Santos C, Hora S, Bento Lima-Silva T . Actively station: Effects on global cognition of mature adults and healthy elderly program using eletronic games. Dement Neuropsychol. 2017; 11(2):186-197. PMC: 5710687. DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642016dn11-020011. View

17.

Faust M, Multhaup K, Ong M, Demakis G, Balz K . Exploring the Specificity, Synergy, and Durability of Auditory and Visual Computer Gameplay Transfer Effects in Healthy Older Adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2019; 75(6):1170-1180. PMC: 7265809. DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbz096. View

18.

Contreras-Somoza L, Irazoki E, Toribio-Guzman J, De la Torre-Diez I, Diaz-Baquero A, Parra-Vidales E . Usability and User Experience of Cognitive Intervention Technologies for Elderly People With MCI or Dementia: A Systematic Review. Front Psychol. 2021; 12:636116. PMC: 8100576. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.636116. View

19.

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

20.

Anguera J, Boccanfuso J, Rintoul J, Al-Hashimi O, Faraji F, Janowich J . Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults. Nature. 2013; 501(7465):97-101. PMC: 3983066. DOI: 10.1038/nature12486. View