Video Game Training Does Not Enhance Cognitive Ability: A Comprehensive Meta-Analytic Review

This meta-analysis investigated whether video game training improves cognitive abilities, reviewing 359 studies. Results showed little to no evidence that playing video games enhances overall cognitive function beyond the specific skills practiced during gaming. Improvements were limited to trained tasks, with no "far transfer" of benefits to unrelated cognitive abilities. For example, spatial skills may improve with action games, but gains do not generalize to broader intelligence or memory tasks. These findings challenge the notion of video games as universal cognitive enhancers, emphasizing that their impact is highly task-specific. The study advocates for more rigorous research to explore the nuances of gaming and cognition.

If gaming is part of your routine, focus on genres that align with specific cognitive goals, such as strategy games for planning or action games for spatial reasoning. However, don't rely on gaming alone to boost general cognitive function. Incorporate diverse activities like physical-exercise, social interaction, and traditional learning methods for comprehensive brain health. This meta-analysis highlights gaming's limited cognitive benefits, urging moderation and realistic expectations.