Recent Research: Elderly Individuals Engaging in This Pastime Exhibit Youthful Memory Capabilities

by Liam O'Connor
7 comments
Cognitive Benefits of Digital Puzzle Games in Older Adults

A novel study conducted by the University of York has discovered that older adults who partake in digital puzzle gaming demonstrate memory faculties akin to individuals in their second decade of life.

Moreover, the study found that adults aged 60 and above who engage in digital puzzles are more proficient at disregarding extraneous distractions. This improvement in cognitive function was not evident in those who played strategy games.

It is widely understood that cognitive abilities, specifically working memory, diminish with age. Working memory is generally at its zenith between the ages of 20 and 30, followed by a gradual decline as one ages. Earlier studies have indicated that the manner in which information is stored in the brain evolves with age. Hence, the researchers from York University aimed to understand if specific forms of cognitive engagement, such as gaming, also had varying effects contingent on the age of the individual.

Dr. Fiona McNab, a faculty member of the Department of Psychology at the University of York, stated, “Numerous studies have centered around action games, presuming that quick reflexes and target tracking augment attention and memory. Our latest analysis, however, demonstrates that such action components do not appear to confer considerable advantages to younger individuals. Rather, it’s the strategy components—such as planning and problem-solving—that seem to bolster memory and focus in the youth. This is not the case for older adults, and additional research is needed to ascertain the reasons.”

The research incorporated a diverse array of digital games that participants, both young and old, would customarily play. The study also included a digital test that required participants to commit images to memory while being subjected to distractions.

Dr. Joe Cutting, affiliated with the University of York’s Department of Computer Science, remarked, “Generally, humans are adept at sidelining irrelevant distractions, a skill known as ‘encoding distraction.’ Although this capacity declines with age, our findings indicate that puzzle games surprisingly maintain these cognitive abilities in older adults, nearly equaling the levels observed in 20-year-olds who have not engaged in puzzle gaming.”

Interestingly, older participants were more prone to forget items that they tried to memorize when distracted if they exclusively engaged in strategy games. Conversely, younger participants were less adept at sustaining focus if they exclusively played puzzle games.

The research team notes that future investigations could delve into why different types of games have varying impacts depending on the player’s age and whether this correlation exists due to changes in the brain’s information storage mechanisms as people age.

Reference: “Higher working memory capacity and distraction-resistance associated with strategy (not action) game playing in younger adults, but puzzle game playing in older adults” by Joe Cutting, Bethany Copeland, and Fiona McNab, published on 13 August 2023 in Heliyon.
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19098

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cognitive Benefits of Digital Puzzle Games in Older Adults

What is the main focus of the study conducted by the University of York?

The main focus of the study is to explore the impact of different types of digital games, specifically puzzle and strategy games, on cognitive functions such as memory and attention in older adults.

Who conducted the research?

The research was conducted by a team from the University of York, including Dr. Fiona McNab from the Department of Psychology and Dr. Joe Cutting from the Department of Computer Science.

What age groups were involved in the study?

The study involved both older adults aged 60 and above as well as younger adults for comparison. The primary focus, however, was on assessing cognitive function in the older age group.

What types of games were the subjects asked to play?

The subjects were asked to play digital games that they would normally engage in, which included a variety of puzzle and strategy games.

What did the study find about the effects of puzzle games on older adults?

The study found that older adults who engaged in digital puzzle games demonstrated memory capacities comparable to those in their 20s. Additionally, these adults were better at ignoring irrelevant distractions.

Did strategy games have the same effects on older adults?

No, the study revealed that strategy games did not yield the same cognitive improvements in older adults as puzzle games did.

What is “working memory,” and why is it important in the context of this study?

Working memory is the ability to hold and manipulate information over short periods of time. It is generally thought to peak between the ages of 20 and 30 and then slowly decline as one ages. This study sought to understand whether engaging in specific types of digital games could positively affect working memory in older adults.

What are the future research directions suggested by the study?

The researchers suggest that future studies could focus on understanding why different types of games have varying impacts depending on the player’s age. They also suggest exploring if this difference is connected to how the brain stores information as people age.

What is the significance of “encoding distraction” in the study?

“Encoding distraction” refers to the ability to ignore irrelevant distractions while focusing on a task. The study found that older adults who played puzzle games were more proficient in this skill compared to those who played strategy games.

What was the publication date and journal of the study?

The study was published on 13 August 2023 in the journal Heliyon, with a DOI of 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19098.

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7 comments

Laura Adams September 24, 2023 - 9:28 pm

Always had a feeling my love for puzzles was more than just a time pass. it’s kinda cool to have some science backing it up. Great read.

Reply
Steve Robinson September 25, 2023 - 2:10 am

Anyone else surprised that strategy games didn’t have the same effect? I mean, those games are complex and require a lot of thinking, or so I thought.

Reply
Timothy Brown September 25, 2023 - 3:43 am

Fascinating stuff. Now I have a scientific reason for my addiction to digital puzzles, not just killing time anymore haha.

Reply
Mark Williams September 25, 2023 - 6:38 am

Really insightful. Its kinda reassuring that there’s some science backing up the hours I’ve spent on Sudoku puzzles. But what about crosswords, they should study that next.

Reply
Sarah Clarke September 25, 2023 - 7:38 am

The fact that this study was done with games people actually play in real life makes it so much more reliable. not like those lab tests where you have to do some random tasks you’d never do otherwise.

Reply
John Smith September 25, 2023 - 9:07 am

Wow, thats really interesting. I never thought games could actually be good for your brain, especially for older people! gotta show this to my parents lol

Reply
Emily Johnson September 25, 2023 - 10:34 am

i’m in my 50s and love playing puzzle games. Glad to know it might actually be doing something good for me. Who would’ve thought?

Reply

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