The Effect of Video Game-Based Interventions on Performance and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Bayesian Network Meta-analysis

Chao Yang; Xiaolei Han; Mingxue Jin; Jianhui Xu; Yiren Wang; Yajun Zhang; Chonglong Xu; Yingshi Zhang; Enshi Jin; Chengzhe Piao

doi:10.2196/27058

The Effect of Video Game-Based Interventions on Performance and Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Bayesian Network Meta-analysis

JMIR Serious Games. 2021 Dec 30;9(4):e27058. doi: 10.2196/27058.

Authors

Chao Yang^#¹, Xiaolei Han^#¹, Mingxue Jin^#¹, Jianhui Xu¹, Yiren Wang², Yajun Zhang², Chonglong Xu³, Yingshi Zhang², Enshi Jin^{1

4}, Chengzhe Piao^{1

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ethnic Culture and Vocational Education, Liaoning National Normal College, Shenyang, China.
² Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, China.
³ Chi Chi Technology LLC, Shenyang, China.
⁴ Information Construction Department, Liaoning National Normal College, Shenyang, China.

^# Contributed equally.

PMID: 34967759
PMCID: PMC8759017
DOI: 10.2196/27058

Abstract

Background: The decline in performance of older people includes balance function, physical function, and fear of falling and depression. General cognitive function decline is described in terms of processing speed, working memory, attention, and executive functioning, and video game interventions may be effective.

Objective: This study evaluates the effect of video game interventions on performance and cognitive function in older participants in terms of 6 indicators: balance function, executive function, general cognitive function, physical function, processing speed, and fear of falling and depression.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies from inception to June 30, 2020. Randomized controlled trials and case-controlled trials comparing video game interventions versus nonvideo game control in terms of performance and cognitive function outcomes were incorporated into a Bayesian network meta-analysis. All data were continuous variables.

Results: In total, 47 studies (3244 participants) were included. In pairwise meta-analysis, compared with nonvideo game control, video game interventions improved processing speed, general cognitive function, and depression scores. In the Bayesian network meta-analysis, interventions with video games improved balance function time (standardized mean difference [SMD] -3.34, 95% credible interval [CrI] -5.54 to -2.56), the cognitive function score (SMD 1.23, 95% CrI 0.82-1.86), processing speed time (SMD -0.29, 95% CrI -0.49 to -0.08), and processing speed number (SMD 0.72, 95% CrI 0.36-1.09), similar to the pairwise meta-analysis. Interventions with video games with strong visual senses and good interactivity ranked first, and these might be more beneficial for the elderly.

Conclusions: Our comprehensive Bayesian network meta-analysis provides evidence that video game interventions could be considered for the elderly for improving performance and cognitive function, especially general cognitive scores and processing speed. Games with better interactivity and visual stimulation have better curative effects. Based on the available evidence, we recommend video game interventions for the elderly.

Trial registration: PROSPERO CRD42020197158; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=197158.

Keywords: Bayesian network meta-analysis; cognitive function; older; performance; video game.

©Chao Yang, Xiaolei Han, Mingxue Jin, Jianhui Xu, Yiren Wang, Yajun Zhang, Chonglong Xu, Yingshi Zhang, Enshi Jin, Chengzhe Piao. Originally published in JMIR Serious Games (https://games.jmir.org), 30.12.2021.