John Libbey Eurotext




The effects of video games on cognitive aging
Gériatrie et Psychologie Neuropsychiatrie du Vieillissement. Volume 10, Number 1, 83-94, Mars 2012, Psychologie et neuropsychiatrie. Synthèse
Résumé Article gratuit
Author(s) : Pauline Maillot, Alexandra Perrot, Alan Hartley
Summary : Advancing age is associated with cognitive decline, which, however, remains a very heterogeneous phenomenon. Indeed, several extrinsic factors seem to modulate the effect of aging on cognition. Recently, several studies have provided evidence that the practice of video games could engender many benefits by favoring the maintenance of cognitive vitality in the elderly. This review of the literature aims to establish a precise inventory of the relations between the various types of video games and cognitive aging, including both sedentary video games (i.e., classics as well as brain training) and active video games (i.e., exergames). The largest benefits seem to be provided by exergames which combine game play with significant physical exercise. This article also tries to define the determinants of the training programs which could be responsible for the observed improvements.
Keywords : videogame, exergame, cognition, aging, transfer of training

The effects of video games on cognitive aging