World of Warcraft Improves Cognitive Ability for Older Adults
There are plenty of ways how to keep your brain active when we get older. Playing video games is one of them.
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) found that at least for some older adults, World of Warcraft (WoW) has benefits beyond the simple entertainment of the game, but will help them to improve their cognitive functioning as well. According to the study, one hour of WoW per day over the course of two weeks resulted in notable cognitive improvement.
However, the test also showed that the improvement strongly depends on the baseline of cognitive functioning. Those players with the most room for improvement saw their scores jump much greater than those who had a well-trained cognitive ability already.
“Among participants who scored well on baseline cognitive functioning tests, there was no significant improvement after playing WoW – they were already doing great,” said Anne McLaughlin, an assistant professor of psychology at NC State and co-author of a paper on the study. “But we saw significant improvement in both spatial ability and focus for participants who scored low on the initial baseline tests.”
Pre- and post-game testing showed no change for participants on memory performance.
The researchers said that they chose WoW for their study because they believed the game had the potential of "producing benefits" as it is seen as a "cognitively challenging game in a socially interactive environment that presents users with novel situations."
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Now some of you know why I still play the game. 7 accounts worth lol.
I'd like to see these tests compared against Portal 2 co op
I say bull. Nothing but hawthorne effect here.
I'd like to see these tests compared against Portal 2 co op
The only problem is that Portal 2 co-op is only 5hrs of gameplay while WoW can be played even 300hrs and you can still have things to do
Kinda like tuning a Chevy vs. trying to get some more speed out of a Ferrari Enzo.
If course it's easier to improve on those with lousy basic performance.
Now go and research something that common sense does not answer :-)
More or less common sense. It is well known that if you keep your mind busy solving problems and learning new things, your cognitive ability will improve. WoW is nothing more than a giant problem in this case.
Now some of you know why I still play the game. 7 accounts worth lol.
$105/month?! I can understand one account easily, I can also understand 2 accounts. If I stretch it a bit, I can even comprehend three accounts. But 7 accounts?
I think its about time you find something else to do with your time and money.
The only problem is that Portal 2 co-op is only 5hrs of gameplay while WoW can be played even 300hrs and you can still have things to do
...mods
Sounds great. You can also achieve cognitive improvement by reading regularly, or listening to really good music, and let us not forget engaging in frequent good conversation with friends. All these improve cognitive abilities.
lol @ the thumbs up/down. Wonder who did that(only 1 comment with thumbs up XD)?
The only problem is that Portal 2 co-op is only 5hrs of gameplay while WoW can be played even 300hrs and you can still have things to do
The gameplay wildly varies on portal 2, but on wow, you'll be doing the same thing over and over and over while a graphically different enemy with essentially the same abilities will extend your 'gameplay'
The only varied gameplay you will find is in PvP, but that is a complete mess and is very repetitive at lower ranks.
i don't think anybody gonna read this but
i like turtles
like alot
they should play something like starcraft.
Blizzard probably sponsored the study.
why WoW but not mmo in general ?
Walking? Gardening? Low impact aerobics? No!
World of Warcraft? Yes!
they should play something like starcraft.
I was going to say the exact same thing.
one hours helps your brain over 2 weeks. thats great, too bad it destroys your ability to be socially significant over time.
Studies show playing wow can lead to obesity and carpal tunnel.
WoW also create lazy, big fat idiots that spend countless living hours infront of a computer screen.
The cognitive benefits in this game are nowhere near the amount that one can get from Starcraft 2.
Ok people we need a game! This study will go nowhere without a game that really makes ya "think" . I was thinking farmville but idk maybe not the best choice. Well my cousin says WOW is the best game...
YES, I have heard of that game so it MUST be a good one.
Ok people set these old ppl up with some WOW accounts (remember to login for them, its hard and not part of the test).
these so called scientists can't make up their minds....one day they say that games are bad for you then the next that they are food for you....so which one is it?
1. "What? Another go collect 5 X from Y forest quest? They call this a game???"
2. *Writes letter of formal complaint to Blizzard*
3. *Cognitive ability improved!*
Well, if they are lying down all day long and waiting to die like my grandma, playing WoW can actually make them smarter!
Some strategy would be better.
Zingam
"Well, if they are lying down all day long and waiting to die like my grandma, playing WoW can actually make them smarter!"
If they are really getting smart then they will stop playing and get a real life...
I don't remember 'cognitive ability' being in my stats or any skill trees.......must be a hunter weapon.
i like turtles
like alot
turtle haters
I do play WoW and notice improvements in my cognitive abilities but I don't remember my password anymore,,, huh what are we talking about?
WoW also create lazy, big fat idiots that spend countless living hours infront of a computer screen.
Coming from someone who's handle is "computernerdforlife"? oh the irony!