Introduction: Computer games have attracted remarkable attentions in general publics with
different cultures and their effects are subject of research by cognitive neuroscientists. In the
present study, possible effects of the game Fifa 2015 on cognitive performance, hormonal levels,
and electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were evaluated in young male volunteers.
Methods: Thirty two subjects aged 20 years on average participated mutually in playing
computer game Fifa 2015. Identification information and general knowledge about the game were
collected. Saliva samples from the contestants were obtained before and after the competition.
Perceptive and cognitive performance including the general cognitive health, response delay,
attention maintenance, and mental fatigue were measured using PASAT test. EEG were recorded
during the play using EEG device and analyzed later using QEEG. Simultaneously, the players’
behavior were recorded using a video camera. Saliva cortisol levels were assessed by ELISA kit.
Data were analyzed by SPSS program.
Results: The impact of playing computer games on cortisol concentration of saliva before and
after the game showed that the amount of saliva plasma after playing the game has dropped
significantly. Also the impact of playing computer games on mental health, before and after the
game indicated that the number of correct answers has not changed significantly. This indicates
that sustained attention has increased in participants after the game in comparison with before
that. Also it is shown that mental fatigue measured by PASAT test, did not changed significantly
after the game in comparison to before that. The impact of game on changes in brain waves
showed that the subjects in high activity state during playing the game had higher power of the
EEG signals in most of the channels in lower frequency bands in compared to normal state.
Discussion: The present study showed that computer games can positively affect the stress
system and the perceptual-cognitive system. Even though this impact was not significant in most
cases, the changes in cognitive and hormonal test and also in brain waves were visible. Hence,
due to the importance of this matter, it is necessary to create control systems in selecting the types
of games for playing.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Computational Neuroscience Received: 2014/09/17 | Accepted: 2015/05/11 | Published: 2015/07/1