Cognitive Enhancement via Neuromodulation and Video Games: Synergistic Effects?

Palaus, Marc; Viejo-Sobera, Raquel; Redolar-Ripoll, Diego; Marrón, Elena Muñoz

doi:10.3389/fnhum.2020.00235

Cited by 15 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…The intervention duration varied between 1 and 16 weeks ( Mdn = 2.0; M = 2.6; SD = 2.5), and training schedules ranged from two to 30 sessions ( Mdn = 9.0; M = 9.4; SD = 5.8). In most studies, NIBS was administered concurrently with CT. Four studies (6%) provided tDCS or rTMS before CT (Bagattini et al, 2020; Chapman, n.d.; Das et al, 2019), and one study (1%) provided rTMS after CT (Palaus et al, 2020).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The efficacy of combining cognitive training and noninvasive brain stimulation: A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis.

Poppe,

Ritter,

Bais

et al. 2024

Psychological Bulletin

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Over the past decade, an increasing number of studies investigated the innovative approach of supplementing cognitive training (CT) with noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to increase the effects on outcomes. In this review, we aim to summarize the evidence for this treatment combination. We identified 72 published and unpublished studies (reporting 773 effect sizes), including 2,518 participants from healthy and clinical populations indexed in PubMed, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, ProQuest, Web of Science, and https://ClinicalTrials.gov (last search: August 9, 2022) that compared the effects of NIBS combined with CT on cognitive, symptoms, and everyday functioning to CT alone at postintervention and/or follow-up. We performed random-effects meta-analyses with robust variance estimation and assessed risk of bias with the Cochrane ROB tool. Only four studies had low risk of bias in all domains, and many studies lacked standard controls such as keeping the outcome assessor and trainer unaware of the treatment condition. Following sensitivity analyses, only learning/memory robustly improved significantly more when CT was combined with NIBS compared to CT only (g = 0.18, 95% CI [0.07, 0.29]) at postintervention, but not in the long term. The effect was small and limited by substantial heterogeneity. The other seven cognitive outcome domains, symptoms, and everyday functioning did not benefit from adding NIBS to CT. Given the methodological limitation of prior studies, more high-quality trials that focus on the potential of combining NIBS and CT to enhance benefits in everyday functioning in the short and long term are needed to evaluate whether combining NIBS and CT is relevant for clinical practice.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The efficacy of combining cognitive training and noninvasive brain stimulation: A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis.

Poppe,

Ritter,

Bais

et al. 2024

Psychological Bulletin

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For instance, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia [11], using a group of healthy young adults, reported that commercial brain games appear to have yielded negative results on cognitive function beyond the tasks included in the games. Also, although Palaus M, et al stated that playing video games can be an optimal cognitive training since it involves high levels of engagement and motivation, they reported limited changes in cognitive enhancement in their study [12]. However, despite the skepticism about the effect of brain-stimulating games, other evidence suggests that video games, brain teasers, and physical activity have a positive effect on cognitive functions of the aged [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Effect of Brain-Stimulating Games and Physical Activity on Cognitive Functions in Dementia in Calabar, Nigeria

2021

Int J Nurs Health Care Res

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Introduction: Dementia prevalence has increased in Nigeria in the last two decades, and its challenges have become more visible. Dementia is poorly understood in the population, so older individuals with symptoms of cognitive impairment are commonly branded 'insane' or 'possessed by evil spirits.' This has resulted in stigmatization, rejection, neglect, and abandonment of the affected. Emerging non-pharmacological treatment options like music, dance, brain games, and physical exercises are evidential for improving cognitive functions in older people with dementia. However, studies on such alternative procedures in dementia are scarce in Nigeria. This study determined the short-term effects of brain-stimulating games and physical activities on five cognitive functions in people with mild dementia in, Calabar, Nigeria.Methods: Mixed method design was used to collect data from 21 participants (13 older people with mild dementia and 8 caregivers). Participants with dementia were engaged in both brain-stimulating games and supervised physical activities for 12 weeks. Quantitative data were collected (pre-and post-intervention) using a validated 32-items tool which assessed 5 cognitive functions, and were analyzed on IBM-SPSS 20.0. Qualitative data were collected from caregivers through structured openended interviews, and thematic content analysis was done using NVivo 10. Results:Scores on all assessed cognitive functions showed that mentally stimulating games and physical activity interventions positively and significantly influenced cognitive functions in patients with mild dementia (p<0.05). Three themes emerged from qualitative data, and caregivers reported significant changes in mood, memory and attention span of the participants with dementia. Conclusion:A combination of mentally stimulating games and exercises improved cognitive functions in older people with mild dementia. Findings have both local and global implications for enhancing social engagement, self-esteem and wellbeing of people with dementia. Further studies should determine the effect of these interventions on people with severe dementia; and the effect of individual interventions (physical activity, or brain-stimulating games) on cognitive functions.

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“…As a result of this complex cognitive demand, recent research (e.g., Bavelier et al, 2012;Bhat et al, 2019;Figueiredo & Sbissa, 2013;Green & Bavelier, 2006;Palaus et al, 2020;Rivero et al, 2012;Toril et al, 2016) point to the development of better skills among VGPs, such as greater cognitive flexibility, better performance in mental rotation tasks, reduced processing time, among others. These results suggest that the high interactivity of games contributes to VGPs developing a better ability to deal with a possible cognitive overload in a multitasking environment (Ballesteros et al, 2017;Colzato et al, 2013;Toril et al, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of action video game engagement on attention and working memory

Gonçalves,

de Mendonça

2023

Preprint

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Objective: This study aimed to verify the effects of types of engagement with action games on the optimization of attentional resources and working memory based on the Signal Detection Theory (SDT) paradigm. Method: For this, a computerized version of the Continuos Performance Test (CPT) was developed in the Psychopy program and applied to a sample of 85 participants, divided into four groups according to their weekly engagement with action games on the PlayStation and Xbox platforms. Dependent variables included: discriminability value (d prime), criteria (c), reaction time, and recall rate in the working memory task. Results: The results showed that players who engaged more than 11 hours a week in action games performed better compared to players who dedicated themselves to 10 hours or less. In addition, players who play between 1x to 3x a week, obtained better results compared to players who dedicate themselves 4x or more a week. Conclusion: These results suggest that the number of times/hours devoted weekly to action games is an important factor for achieving better performance in attention and working memory tests by video game players. This study is important to evaluate the effects of games on cognition and their contributions to rehabilitation practices based on cognitive training with games.

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Cognitive Enhancement via Neuromodulation and Video Games: Synergistic Effects?

Cited by 15 publications

References 73 publications

The efficacy of combining cognitive training and noninvasive brain stimulation: A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis.

The efficacy of combining cognitive training and noninvasive brain stimulation: A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis.

Effect of Brain-Stimulating Games and Physical Activity on Cognitive Functions in Dementia in Calabar, Nigeria

Effect of action video game engagement on attention and working memory

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