Effects of video game training on cognition in the elderly: systematic review

Aims: To perform a systematic review of the literature on the effect of video game training on cognition in the elderly. Methods: The search was conducted using LILACS, SciELO, PsyINFO and PubMed databases in both English and Portuguese. The search term used were video game training, combined with the following: cognition, cognitive effects, cognitive performance, cognitive plasticity, cognitive tests. The inclusion criteria consisted of intervention studies on video game training, original articles in English or Portuguese, full-text availability, and target population older people. Studies that failed to meet these criteria were excluded. Articles from 2005 to 2015 were collected, and the review was performed between January 2015 and July 2015. Results: Seventy articles were found, but only twenty-one met the selection criteria. Of the 21 articles included in the study, only 7 studies (33%) revealed statistically significant improvement in speed of processing, sustained attention and alert, working visuospatial memory, cognitive flexibility, immediate and delayed visual memory, visual-motor coordination and visuospatial ability between the research groups (p