Video Games Enhancing Cognitive Function and Physical Health: An Unforeseen Strategy against Cognitive Decline
What if the best medicine for the brain came not in the form of a pill, but in the form of a video game? Swiss researchers found that “exergames,” which require moving the body while solving mental challenges, not only improve daily autonomy in people over 70 years old but also produce measurable changes in key brain regions. A finding that positions playful technology as an ally in preventing cognitive decline.
A new way to train the brain
The term “exergames” refers to active video games that. For 12 weeks, about 40 Swiss participants over 70 years old trained at home in front of a screen with a foot panel. Each session, 25 minutes long and five times a week, required remembering lists, responding quickly, and coordinating movements.
A simple example: remembering if a product appeared on a virtual shopping list and moving accordingly. These types of exercises, scientists explain, strengthen memory, attention, and spatial orientation, functions that tend to deteriorate in the early stages of dementia.
More than entertainment: measurable results
The results were clear. Those who practiced with exergames showed significant improvements in memory and agility for daily activities like talking, shopping, or . In contrast, the control group —who maintained their usual routine— showed progressive deterioration, considered typical of old age.
By adding magnetic resonance imaging, researchers confirmed that the benefits were not just subjective: increases in the volume of the hippocampus and thalamus, essential areas for memory and decision-making, were observed. Improvements in the prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate were also detected.
Brain plasticity at 70 and beyond
“The fact that these structural changes were recorded in just three months demonstrates the, even in advanced stages of life,” said Professor Eling de Bruin, project leader. This finding suggests that exergames could not only alleviate symptoms but also modify the course of cognitive decline.
The combination of physical exercise, mental stimulation, and controlled breathing —the final part of each session— seems to activate nervous regulation mechanisms that favor memory and attention. An accessible and side-effect-free recipe against the challenge of aging.
