New study says some seniors could benefit from a little gaming

From Reviewed.com

http://laptops.reviewed.com/news/computer-games-may-be-more-effective-than-antidepressants

"The study tasked 11 depressed patients aged 60 to 89 with playing computer games specifically designed to improve brain fitness. Researchers wanted to study how the activity affected patients’ executive functions—a term used to describe the brain’s handling of critical facilities like memory, reasoning, problem-solving, and planning.

The scientists found the games were better than prescription drugs at improving these functions. After the study period, the patients were found to be both sharper and happier, indicating that improving executive functions can have a beneficial effect on depression.

But hold up before you throw away your SSRIs: Because the impairment of executive functions is only associated with depression in elderly patients, the findings are most likely limited to senior citizens."

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Now I have often proclaimed that playing video games is a great way to relieve stress and also prevent the mind from aging as long as they are complex and require lots of hand/eye coordination coupled with memory and cognitive functions.   It seems medical studies are actually being performed.... and so many of my "old" friends laughed at my theories and although it might be too early to say "I told you so!" I shall keep playing and keep my mind healthy.

Now for some of you youngsters out there - well, you might be wasting your time ;)  but I need you to keep playing so I have some company :)

<Raising one eyebrow in Mr. Spock style>

Fascinating....

That means that I could stay young forever! MUAHAHAHAHAHA! >:3

So when the Mrs says I play too much I can now tell her I am improving my brains executive functions. WooHoo!

I tell my wife that all the time......even when I forget who she is.

Well Lord - unfortunately the study was only conducted on seniors - so it won't work for you - sorry!  ;)

Hey, my dad played Beatles Rock Band with my kids and me. We had a blast, and everyone was young at heart that night! :D

Something that I noticed is that the more lucid people I knew in my life are people who are constantly learning, changing, adapting to new technologies, ideas and meeting new people with different backgrounds.

That's why I find mmo's so stimulating and important, where in every patch you need to learn new mechanics, new strategies, meet new people, different gaming styles, it's awesome :3

I'm no doctor, but I'll go out on a limb and say that anything you do for 12 hours a day would not be recommended lol.

They didn't specify in the article which video games they used for the research.  Although they did specify they were specifically ones that helped cognitive functions so I'm assuming that eliminates Farmville lol.

The "Baby Boomer" generation is currently around 60 years old...born just after the end of WWII.  They are also the arcade generation from the 1070's - 80's, and are the ones who introduced their children to arcade games, home consoles & home computers.  Most retired people from the Baby Boomer generation on, are expected to still be gamers after retirement.

Already there is a huge presence of retired people in online gaming, and gaming in general.  GW2 has a significant amount of retired people who play it, and this is but one game...and they're amazing at it too!  I guess when you've been gaming as long as they have, you're bound to be like a seasoned pro. and a quick learner.

My Grandfather was 86 ( he died around five years ago,) and he was an avid gamer.  He used to play Call of Duty, Call of Duty: United Offensive, and CoD2 every night.  He loved WWII games.  He also owned a string of arcades in Toronto, Canada until...I think...around when the Nintendo Entertainment System came out.

Gaming is just something I've always known.  It has never been any different than choosing to watch TV in my family.

I digressed...  a little...

Retired people gain/ maintain a lot from gaming.  Most especially, a community of people who will be there often and the opportunity to show the young ones how it's really done.

Bentmer - they did specifically call out "Candy Crush" as a no brainer and not one that would fall into the category.

I happen to think FPS and MMOs that require hand/eye coordination as well as the cognitive portion of the games to solve puzzles, recognize threats, and accomplish tasks are great ways to exercise the brain.   Not to mention a great way to socialize with friends and relatives from my living room as I sit alone in the dark.   OK - I went too far :)  I'm not in the dark - there is a slight glow that dimly fills the void of bleakness from my PC monitor ;) 

I am kidding of course - the TV is also on - lol.

@Xensa -  To add to what you were saying, The Baby Boomer generation actually spans folks born between 1946 through 1964, so Boomers aren't just 60 year old, but also includes folks as young as turning 50 this year.   

@Morigana -  For crying out loud, turn on a light or you will go blind sooner  :D

And to keep myself "young",  I plan on playing MMOs and other strategically minded games as long as I possibly can :)

University of Florida was running a study to find out if gaming improved the functions of old people.  I offered myself up, wanted to get in it,  and they gave me a test   but they wouldn't take me.  They said I was  five points lower than a fighter pilot in my reactions.  Little did they know what a terrible player I am.   Low level players kill me but falling in holes all the time amuses me.    I LOVE it