Abstract

RIVERO, Thiago S.; QUERINO, Emanuel H. G.  and  STARLING-ALVES, Isabella. Video game: its impact on attention, perception and executive functions. Neuropsicologia Latinoamericana [online]. 2012, vol.4, n.3, pp. 38-52. ISSN 2075-9479.

Video games have become a way of entertainment that is increasingly present in everyday life. In the United States, for example, this apparatus is present in more than 70% of homes, and a mean time of 30 weekly hours is spent in gaming. However, consequences of video games' usage are still controversial. Current researches suggest a possible causal relationship between the use of video games and a greater development of several cognitive abilities. The present study aims to investigate, through a bibliographic review, the evidences of a possible positive effect that the use of video games may have on cognitive skills. Significant improvements are observed in attention, visual and spatial processing, and executive functions, mainly on the working memory. The benefits provided by the video game on cognition lead to the hypothesis that its use can be extended to clinical setting. In particular, its use in neuropsychological rehabilitation can increase patient's motivational levels and his/her engagement. However, several methodological challenges are yet not accomplished and, therefore, more researches are needed in order to validate the video game's use as a tool for rehabilitation.

Keywords : Video games; Cognition; Attention; Perception; Executive functions.

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