Enhancing Cognition with Video Games: A Multiple Game Training Study

This study examined whether different genres of video games—action, spatial memory, match-3, hidden-object, and life simulation—improve cognitive skills after 20 hours of training over four weeks. Results showed that action games enhanced attentional control and multiple-object tracking, while match-3 and hidden-object games improved visual search and spatial memory. Life simulation games had minimal impact on cognitive tasks. These findings suggest that video game benefits are task-specific, with each game genre fostering unique cognitive skills, depending on their demands. The study highlights the potential for video games to target specific cognitive abilities, though benefits may not transfer to unrelated tasks.

Choose video games that align with specific cognitive goals, such as action games for attention and multitasking or hidden-object games for memory and search efficiency. This study shows cognitive benefits are genre-specific and often tied to practiced skills, with limited transfer to unrelated tasks. Use gaming in moderation as part of a balanced cognitive health routine that includes exercise, reading, and other enriching activities.