Is actually playing Wii games good for your cognition?
The answer is yes. The Context (which will be elaborated) indicates that Wii games have a positive cognitive effect on people. The study aimed to determine the impact and effectiveness of the use of the Wii® game console on improving performance of basic and instrumental activities of daily living (ADLs), as well as its relationship with cognitive impairment levels and mood in institutionalized older people. Monteiro et al. showed a moderate improvement in semantic memory and executive functioning in institutionalized older people after a single session with the Wii Fit game console. Santamaria et al. obtained improvements in dynamic balance and attention in older adults after 15 sessions with the Wii Fit game console. Chesler et al., after an intervention with Wii Fit, reported improved cognitive performance, as well as lower depression levels and greater social interaction after a 6-week rehabilitation program using Wii. Additionally, a positive correlation between performance of ADLs and cognitive status was observed, as well as a negative correlation with the psychological status. Through a rehabilitation program with a Wii® game console in the elderly, depression, anxiety and apathy levels were reduced, accompanied by an increase in memory and attention, as well as in performance of basic and instrumental ADLs. Therefore, the statement that Wii games have a positive cognitive effect on people is factually accurate.
Citations:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0898264314551171 https://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/news/active-gaming-is-good-for-brain-health-and-memory-finds-study/ https://www.betteraging.com/cognitive-aging/what-is-the-impact-of-video-games-on-cognition-and-wellbeing/ https://www.bctra.org/wp-content/uploads/tr_journals/876-3422-1-PB.pdf https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349153233_Impact_of_an_Intervention_with_Wii_Video_Games_on_the_Autonomy_of_Activities_of_Daily_Living_and_Psychological-Cognitive_Components_in_the_Institutionalized_Elderly https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33562249/ https://www.inverse.com/article/31168-nintendo-wii-xbox-kinect-brain-function-aging-cognitive-decline https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260284248_Effects_of_an_interactive_video_game_Nintendo_Wii_on_older_women_with_Mild_Cognitive_Impairment https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7915676/ https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-019-0500-5