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Digital puzzle games could be good for memory in older adults, study shows
Medical Xpress / University of York / Heliyon ^ | Aug. 14, 2023 | Joe Cutting et al

Posted on 08/15/2023 7:36:55 PM PDT by ConservativeMind

Older adults who play digital puzzle games have the same memory abilities as people in their 20s, a study has shown.

The study also found that adults aged 60 and over who play digital puzzle games had a greater ability to ignore irrelevant distractions, but older adults who played strategy games did not show the same improvements in memory or concentration.

It is known that as humans age, their mental abilities tend to decrease, particularly the ability to remember a number of things at a single time—known as working memory.

"It instead seems to be the strategy elements of the games—planning and problem solving for example— that stimulates better memory and attention in young people. We don't see this same effect in older adults, however, and more research is needed to understand why this is. We can't yet rule out that the strategy games played by older people are not as difficult as the games played by younger people and that the level of challenge might be important in memory improvement."

The study included older and younger adults playing digital games that they would normally play in their "real lives." This resulted in a wide range of games to be tested alongside a digital experiment that required participants to memorize images, while being distracted.

"Puzzle games for older people had this surprising ability to support mental capabilities to the extent that memory and concentration levels were the same as a 20 year-olds who had not played puzzle games."

Older people were however more likely to forget elements committed to memory while being distracted if they only played strategy games, and young people were less successful at focusing attention if they played only puzzle games.

(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...


TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: alzheimers; dementia; digitalpuzzle; digitalpuzzlegames; digitalpuzzles; memory; puzzle; puzzlegames
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Well, I hope you are enjoying yourself!

What more can one ask?


21 posted on 08/15/2023 11:29:06 PM PDT by dr_lew2
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

You have to memorized the three cards you passed ...

Well, I caught that!

... at 74, I’m feeling the old, but I don’t feel old, you know?


22 posted on 08/16/2023 12:42:38 AM PDT by dr_lew2
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To: AlaskaErik

I guess I don’t understand the difference between digital and strategy games. Can’t strategy games be digital, and vice versa?

Is Sudoku in a book considered a digital game?

While at my computer at home, on a call waiting on hold, I’ll play Mahjong or Zuma. Sounds is mindless; Mahjong requires some memory.


23 posted on 08/16/2023 3:28:54 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: peggybac

“my favorite is Zuma.”

Me, too.


24 posted on 08/16/2023 3:30:20 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: broken_clock

I just watched that movie last week! 😁


25 posted on 08/16/2023 5:09:56 AM PDT by octex
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To: ConservativeMind

Sudoku!......................


26 posted on 08/16/2023 5:17:02 AM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegal aliens are put up in hotels.....................)
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To: ConservativeMind

Thanks, I believe it helps keep mind sharp.


27 posted on 08/16/2023 6:17:36 AM PDT by Rusty0604 (Despthaerately looking for new conspiracy theories as all the old ones have come true)
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To: Leaning Right

Ha!


28 posted on 08/16/2023 6:18:39 AM PDT by Rusty0604 (Despthaerately looking for new conspiracy theories as all the old ones have come true)
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To: octex
I love that scene!

“I want to play Global Nuclear War”

”Fine”

29 posted on 08/16/2023 6:43:34 AM PDT by broken_clock (Go Trump! Still praying.)
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To: octex

I just watched that movie last week! 😁

Ally was so cute back then.


30 posted on 08/16/2023 6:46:46 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: EinNYC

Sorry, the zebub is the fly, the zebu is the ox.

Must study dictionary harder!


31 posted on 08/16/2023 6:59:46 AM PDT by proxy_user
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To: ConservativeMind

I suppose if I was in Assisted Living I would have time for these games...but I am too busy with life...but then I have never been a games person...cannot sit still long enough. My next challenge is becoming a certified Pilates Instructor.


32 posted on 08/16/2023 7:45:19 AM PDT by goodnesswins ( We pretend to vote and they pretend to count the votes.)
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To: ConservativeMind
Here's a great site: Gamesforthe Brain.com. There are lots of ads around the perifery, but just ignore them and play!
33 posted on 08/16/2023 8:12:08 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: MayflowerMadam
I guess I don’t understand the difference between digital and strategy games. Can’t strategy games be digital, and vice versa?

I think the difference they are concerned with is strategy games versus memory games. Both can be digital.

34 posted on 08/16/2023 8:16:39 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: goodnesswins
I have never been a games person...cannot sit still long enough. My next challenge is becoming a certified Pilates Instructor

Sounds like you are still young enough not to have agonizing arthritis pain, circulation difficulties, bone and tooth loss, vision challenges, side effects from medicines for the above, inablility to afford adequate diet or treatments for the above, or other issues of really old age. Enjoy it while you can. And remember to respect those who suffer bodily, but keep their brain sharp with what they can still do, including games. You may be one of them some day.

35 posted on 08/16/2023 8:24:15 AM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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To: DennisR

It is upside down in down clue. In an across clue, yes, it would be backwards.


36 posted on 08/16/2023 9:29:21 AM PDT by proxy_user
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To: Albion Wilde

Wasn’t meant as criticism...my day will come...


37 posted on 08/16/2023 11:29:38 AM PDT by goodnesswins ( We pretend to vote and they pretend to count the votes.)
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To: goodnesswins

Well, you’re right to keep going at the top of your abilities as long as possible!


38 posted on 08/16/2023 3:19:21 PM PDT by Albion Wilde (Either ‘the Deep State destroys America, or we destroy the Deep State.’ --Donald Trump)
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