Playing Video Games leads to Smarter Brain
Playing Video Games leads to Smarter Brain
By: Arlene Gentallan
Since the dawn of the modern era, people had been wasting their time in what could have been perceived by a layman as "doing absolutely nothing."
If you haven't tried playing video games, you're definitely missing out on something. Research reveals that playing video games does have it's perks!
Increases Brain Volume
Did you know that you can increase your brain size by learning to juggle? But their's an easier way!
A research by Kuhn and colleagues revealed a surprising twist. Playing video games increases certain parts of the brain.
Through MRI, they've found out that participants who played the popular video game "Super Mario 64" for 30 minutes a day for 2 months had a consequent increase in gray matter at the areas of the right prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
Improves Cognitive function
As a person ages, their ability to do multiple task at the same time and mental performance declines.
A research by Anguera, J. and collegues reveals the beneficial effect of playing video games especially among elderly. The study used a custom-designed video game NeuroRacer to improve the cognitive function and multitasking ability.
Improves Mood & Decreases Stress
Another research by Russoniello, C. and colleagues revealed the remarkable of effects of casual video games in uplifting mood and decreasing stress.
The study involved 143 participants who were split into 2 groups. The first group was given a selection of casual video game to play (Bejeweled 2, Bookwork Adventures, and Peggle) while the other group was tasked to search the internet for health-related articles and copy it on their respective computer desktop for 20 minutes.
Their brain wave was measured using EEG, emotional changes was measured using Profile of Mood States (POMS) assessment, and physical stress was measured using Heart Rate Variability (HRV.)
Resources:
Kuhn, S., Gleich, T., et al. (2013). Playing Super Mario induces structural brain plasticity: Grey matter changes resulting from training with commercial video game. Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/mp.2013.120.
Anguera, J., Boccanfuso, J., et al. (2013). Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature12486.
Russoniello, C., O'Brien, K., & Parks, M. (2009). The Effectiveness of causual video games in improving mood and decreasing stress. Journal of Cyber Therapy & Rehabilitation. Spring 2009, Volume 2, Issue 1.
By: Arlene Gentallan
 |
| Playing Video Games leads to Smarter Brain |
Since the dawn of the modern era, people had been wasting their time in what could have been perceived by a layman as "doing absolutely nothing."
If you haven't tried playing video games, you're definitely missing out on something. Research reveals that playing video games does have it's perks!
Increases Brain Volume
Did you know that you can increase your brain size by learning to juggle? But their's an easier way!
A research by Kuhn and colleagues revealed a surprising twist. Playing video games increases certain parts of the brain.
Through MRI, they've found out that participants who played the popular video game "Super Mario 64" for 30 minutes a day for 2 months had a consequent increase in gray matter at the areas of the right prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum.
Improves Cognitive function
As a person ages, their ability to do multiple task at the same time and mental performance declines.
A research by Anguera, J. and collegues reveals the beneficial effect of playing video games especially among elderly. The study used a custom-designed video game NeuroRacer to improve the cognitive function and multitasking ability.
Improves Mood & Decreases Stress
Another research by Russoniello, C. and colleagues revealed the remarkable of effects of casual video games in uplifting mood and decreasing stress.
The study involved 143 participants who were split into 2 groups. The first group was given a selection of casual video game to play (Bejeweled 2, Bookwork Adventures, and Peggle) while the other group was tasked to search the internet for health-related articles and copy it on their respective computer desktop for 20 minutes.
Their brain wave was measured using EEG, emotional changes was measured using Profile of Mood States (POMS) assessment, and physical stress was measured using Heart Rate Variability (HRV.)
Resources:
Kuhn, S., Gleich, T., et al. (2013). Playing Super Mario induces structural brain plasticity: Grey matter changes resulting from training with commercial video game. Molecular Psychiatry advance online publication. doi: 10.1038/mp.2013.120.
Anguera, J., Boccanfuso, J., et al. (2013). Video game training enhances cognitive control in older adults. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature12486.
Russoniello, C., O'Brien, K., & Parks, M. (2009). The Effectiveness of causual video games in improving mood and decreasing stress. Journal of Cyber Therapy & Rehabilitation. Spring 2009, Volume 2, Issue 1.
