A recent study published in the journal Healthcare indicates that longer gaming sessions are associated with improved cognitive functions and motor control skills in adolescents. The study challenges the traditional view of gaming as solely a risk factor, suggesting that extended periods of gaming may correlate with enhanced cognitive and motor development among young gamers.
The debate over the risks associated with gaming has been highly contentious, particularly after the World Health Organization (WHO) labeled gaming as a potential contributor to disease and addiction in its 2018 International Classification of Diseases. This classification identified adolescents and young adult males as particularly vulnerable, linking gaming to antisocial behavior, emotional distress, and academic challenges.
However, the same organization also promoted gaming as a positive activity during the COVID-19 pandemic through the ‘Play Apart Together’ initiative, recognizing its benefits under certain conditions. This conflicting viewpoint has fueled ongoing debate about the role of gaming in society.
Given the popularity of gaming, researchers Hyoyeon Ahn and Jongeun Won of Seoul National University sought to examines its relationship with cognitive functions and motor skills among adolescents. They aimed to provide empirical data to clarify whether gaming could have positive developmental impacts rather than just potential risks.
The study involved a total of 130 participants, divided almost evenly between middle school students (64) and high school students (66). The criteria for inclusion were specific: participants had to be regular gamers who used their right hand to operate the mouse during gaming, ensuring consistency in the motor skills being assessed. Participants with any visual impairments or diseases affecting eye movement or focus were excluded to avoid confounding variables that could impact the results related to visual processing tasks.
Participants were initially required to complete a questionnaire providing details about their personal gaming habits, including the frequency and duration of gaming sessions and the types of games they played. Following the questionnaire, the actual testing phase began. It was conducted over five months, primarily on Saturday mornings to avoid conflicts with school schedules.
During the testing phase, participants underwent a series of cognitive and motor control tests. These included traditional tests like the Trail Making Test and Corsi Block Test, as well as more specialized tasks such as the Tower of London, which assesses planning and problem-solving capabilities. Modern digital tools were also employed, including computer-based versions of the Stroop Test and Raven Progressive Matrices.
The participants were split into four groups based on their frequence of gaming: every day, 5 to 6 days, 3 to 4 days, and 1 to 2 days. However, the results showed that the frequency of gaming was unrelated to cognitive functions and motor skills. This was an unexpected outcome, as it challenged the assumption that more frequent gaming might lead to better cognitive and motor skills due to repeated practice and exposure.
But when examining the duration of gaming sessions, a different picture emerged. The data indicated that longer periods of gaming were associated with improvements in specific cognitive functions and motor control skills. For instance, participants who engaged in longer gaming sessions demonstrated better performance in tasks that required quick reflexes and strategic planning, skills that are often exercised in complex video games.
“Even within the sample that regularly participates in games, it is noteworthy that there are differences in task performance depending on the level of game participation time,” the researchers wrote.
These findings indicate that the specific skills honed during regular gaming are directly transferable to similar tasks, reinforcing the idea that gaming can have practical benefits in developing certain types of cognitive abilities and motor skills.
However, the study’s conclusions are subject to certain limitations that may affect how the results are interpreted. Notably, it did not distinguish between different types of gaming devices or game genres, each of which might impact cognitive and motor skills in unique ways.
Furthermore, the study’s design does not allow for definitive conclusions about causality. While it might seem that extended gaming sessions lead to improved cognitive and motor skills, it is equally plausible that individuals who naturally possess higher levels of these skills are more inclined to engage in gaming for longer periods. This ambiguity suggests that further research is needed to unravel the directionality of these associations.
The study, “The Effects of Adolescents’ Participation in Video Games on Cognitive Function and Motor Control Skills,” was published October 15, 2023.
