Citation

Mishra J, Bavelier D, Gazzaley A. Games Health J. 2012; 1(3): 192-198.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, Physiology and Psychiatry, University of California , San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Mary Ann Liebert Publishers)

DOI

10.1089/g4h.2011.0033

PMID

24761314

PMCID

PMC3833365

Abstract

Our daily actions are driven by our goals in the moment, constantly forcing us to choose among various options. Attention and working memory are key enablers of that process. Attention allows for selective processing of goal-relevant information and rejecting task-irrelevant information. Working memory functions to maintain goal-relevant information in memory for brief periods of time for subsequent recall and/or manipulation. Efficient attention and working memory thus support the best extraction and retention of environmental information for optimal task performance. Recent studies have evidenced that attention and working memory abilities can be enhanced by cognitive training games as well as entertainment videogames. Here we review key cognitive paradigms that have been used to evaluate the impact of game-based training on various aspects of attention and working memory. Common use of such methodology within the scientific community will enable direct comparison of the efficacy of different games across age groups and clinical populations. The availability of common assessment tools will ultimately facilitate development of the most effective forms of game-based training for cognitive rehabilitation and education.

Language: en