Video Games Delay Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Playing video games can help delay cognitive decline by as many as seven years in older adults, a new study reported.

The study was conducted by researchers from University of Iowa who found that people aged 50 or older had better cognitive abilities if they played video games.

"We know that we can stop this decline and actually restore cognitive processing speed to people. So, if we know that, shouldn't we be helping people? It's fairly easy, and anyone can go get the training game and play it," said Fredric Wolinsky, professor in the UI College of Public Health and lead author.

Previous research from North Carolina State University had found that playing video games makes old people happy.

The present study included 681 healthy patients who were divided into four groups. Researchers then separated each group into two subgroups; those who were in the 50-65 year age group and the 65 plus age group.

One group was given computerized crosswords to solve, while the other three groups got to play "Road Tour," (renamed "Double Decision").

Researchers found that seniors who played the video games had better mental abilities a year later than the people who didn't play the video games. Video game players delayed cognitive decline by seven years.

"It's the 'use it or lose it' phenomenon- with a twist," Wolinsky said in a news release. "Age-related cognitive decline is real, it's happening, and it starts earlier and then continues steadily. Here, the exercise designed by neuroscientists delivered significant gains that generalized to daily life."

The study is published in the journal PLOS One.