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In recent years, the rise ofelectronic sports(eSports) has garnered attention not only among younger generations but also within the senior community. This paper investigates the potential effects of eSports on cognitive functions and psychiatric symptoms in older adults diagnosed withmild cognitive impairment(MCI). Although the relationship between gaming and mental health has been studied across various demographics, its impact on the elderly remains underexplored.
This study aims to bridge that gap by assessing whether engaging in eSports can improve cognitive abilities and alleviate psychiatric symptoms such as depression and apathy among older adults with MCI.
Study methodology
The research employed arandomized controlled trialdesign, involving thirty-four community-dwelling older adults diagnosed with MCI. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: one received an intervention consisting of eSports sessions while the other served as a control group. Each intervention session lasted for60 minutes, held once a week over a period of eight weeks.
Prior to the commencement of the intervention, participants underwent evaluations to assess their cognitive function—encompassing areas such as global cognition, attention, and executive function—as well as psychiatric symptoms. Notably, changes in brain activity were examined usingfunctional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS) during specific tasks.
Intervention details
The eSports sessions featured three different video games designed to challenge both cognitive and physical skills. These included a physical rhythm game, a falling object puzzle game, and a racing simulator. Participants enjoyed the flexibility to choose from these games and engage in friendly competition, promoting an enjoyable atmosphere aimed at enhancing participation and engagement.
Each participant practiced the games before the intervention began, ensuring they were familiar with the controls and objectives. This approach, inspired by previous studies on cognitive training, aimed to create a supportive environment that encouraged social interaction and cognitive engagement.
Study outcomes
Results indicated that both the intervention and control groups experienced improvements in their Additionally, no marked changes were found in measures of attention, executive function, or psychiatric symptoms such as depression and apathy.
Furthermore, analyses of hemodynamic data showed no notable alterations inprefrontal cortexactivation pre- and post-intervention between the two groups. While the findings suggest that eSports did not produce significant effects on cognitive or psychiatric outcomes, they highlight the necessity for further investigation into the potential benefits of gaming in this demographic.
Implications for future research
Given the lack of conclusive evidence, the study underscores a critical need for more extensive and rigorously designed research to confirm or refute the efficacy of eSports in enhancing cognitive functions and reducing psychiatric symptoms among older adults with MCI. Future studies should consider larger sample sizes and potentially integrate various forms of cognitive training to determine the optimal conditions under which eSports can be beneficial.
While this initial exploration into the effects of eSports on older adults with MCI did not yield significant findings, the potential remains for future research to uncover valuable insights. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is imperative to explore novel avenues like eSports to support mental health and cognitive well-being in our aging populations.