The effects of Video Games

on the Brain
Quenten White
 Video games have
been shown to have
many effects on the
brain.

This makes sense,

given the
interactive nature
of video games.
There are many studies that show the effectiveness of video
games for treating mental disorders, but are they more harm
than good?
 Video games have shown to be effective in treating speech
disorders.

Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a failure of the body's ability to temporarily

close the communication between the nasal cavity and the mouth, because of an
anatomic dysfunction of the soft palate or of the lateral or posterior wall of the
pharynx.(Cler,Gabriel)
The participants showed a tendency toward decreased nasalization after training, particularly for the
words explicitly trained in the video game. Conclusion: Results suggest that video game-based systems
may provide a useful rehabilitation platform for providing real-time feedback of speech nasalization in
VPD.(Cler, Gabriel)
 Hepatic encephalopathy is
typically considered a
reversible neuropsychiatric
complication that occurs in
patients with end-stage liver
disease.

Research shows that video

games may help in the
healing process(Bajaj,JS).
Thirty CHE patients
completed all visits with
significant daily achievement
on the video games.

In a subset of 13 subjects that

underwent brain MRI, there
was a significant decrease in
fractional anisotropy, and
increased radial diffusivity
(suggesting axonal sprouting
or increased cross-fiber
formation)(Bajaj,JS)
 First Person Shooter video
games are still bad, right?

As it turns out, probably not.

 First Person Shooter video
games help to accelerate motor
responses.
They have not been shown to cause
violent behavior (Deleuze, Jory).
Video games have been shown to be helpful to
students who are learning math.

How helpful?
 Results show that on
average students who had
access to the game in
addition to the regular
teaching scored higher
than control group
students(Masek,M)
 Video games
create an
immersive
environment,
which encourages
problem solving.

More and more

research is being
done on all of the
applications for
this.
We know that
videogames are an
excellent tool in
therapy.

This is because video games access our

dopamine receptors, as well as our motor
functions(Shams,Tahireh).
 Research on treating
neuropsychiatric disorders
proves to be
promising(Shams,Tahireh).
Despite all of the positive
reasons to play video games

There is still some bias

involved(Sevga,Aviv).
It is common for researchers
to scrutinize video games for
their addictive potential(Sevga
Aviv).
Video games can be addictive, as can anything in large enough
amounts.
Is this really enough to call video games dangerous?
Video games show no correlation with
violent crimes, or any crimes for that
matter.
More people than ever are playing video games. Its becoming less of
a hobby for nerds and more of a recreational activity for anyone.
Board games are a popular activity for families and friends, as are
video games. Are they really so different? There are board games that
can be played solitaire, but most people use them as a group activity.
Video games have multiplayer modes that allow players the same
social experience.
Video games provide the same immersive experience that a good book or a movie can provide.
They tell a story, complete with engaging characters, settings, and plots. Achievements can provide an
extra layer of satisfaction to the gamer, because they feel that they really worked for their story.
Some people prefer movies over
books. Video games often come with
neat visuals to appeal to these
individuals as well.
The important thing to remember is that humans
like to be entertained.
We will constantly improve upon technology to
provide the most rewarding outlets for us to
express our creative energies and need for fun.
Works Cited
Cler, Gabriel. Video Game Rehabilitation of Velopharyngeal Dysfunction : A Case
Series. Journal of Speech, Language & Hearing Research, vol.60, 2017,
pp.1800-1809. Ottenheimer Library,
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1044/2017_JSLHR-S-16-0231. Accessed 1 Oct. 2017

Sevga, Aviv. Possible Biases of Researchers' Attitudes Toward Video Games:

Publication Trends Analysis of the Medical Literature. Journal of Medical
Internet Research, vol.18, no.7, July 2016, pp. E196. Ottenheimer Library,
doi:10.2196/jmir.5935. Accessed 1 Oct. 2017
Works Cited
Shams,Tahireh. The Effects of Video Games on Cognition and Brain Structure:
Potential Implications for Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Current Psychiatry
Reports, vol. 17, no. 9, Sep. 2015, pp. 71. Ottenheimer Library, doi:
10.1007/s11920-015-0609-6. Accessed 1 Oct. 2017

Masek, M. Improving Mastery of Fractions By Blending into the Math

Classroom. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning. Vol.33, no.5, pp.486-489, Sep
2017. Ottenheimer Library, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jcal.12194. Accessed 2
Oct. 2017
Works Cited
Bajaj, JS. Brain Training with Video Games in Covert Hepatic Encephalopathy.
The American Journal of Gastroenterology, vol.112, no. 2, Dec 2016,pp. 316-324.
Ottenheimer Library, doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.544. Accessed 2 Oct. 2017

Deleuze, Jory. Shoot at first sight! First person shooter players display reduced
reaction time and compromised inhibitory control in comparison to other video
game players.Computers in Human Behavior, vol.72, July 2017, pp.570-576.
Ottenheimer Library, doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.027. Accessed 2
Oct. 2017