Bejeweled Yields Cognitive Benefit In Older Adults 82
donniebaseball23 writes "PopCap Games and University of Massachusetts Amherst psychology researcher Susan K. Whitbourne, Ph.D. have released the results of a survey targeting the habits of older and younger gamers. Interestingly, PopCap's Bejeweled Blitz was found to be a good cognitive training tool for older adults. Of those who play Bejeweled Blitz on a regular basis, 47 percent of adults over 50 reported feeling 'sharper' while performing other tasks, and nearly 24 percent of adults over 65 felt that their pattern recognition improved. Dr. Whitbourne intends to conduct a series of studies looking into the value of gaming for older audiences."
Cognition without drugs and video games. (Score:0, Insightful)
It's nice to see some improvements in human health being made without the pushing of the drugs on the population!
There are other drugless ways to improve cognition in older adults:
- Get plenty of exercise.
At 80 you needn't be running marathons, but a nice hour long walk in the morning will do wonders for your health.
- Eat an organic & vegetarian (preferably vegan) diet.
You Are What You Eat. Skip the bacon and eggs at breakfast. Go for a delicious fruit smoothie made with organic raspberries & blueberries. For that necessary protein, toss some organic tofu in the blender as well.
Don't eat a big, fat lunch. Lunch is the least important meal of the day. Nibble on some organic fruit & granola.
Dinner? Go for it within reason. Just stay within the boundaries of organic vegan and you're good to go! A well fed mind is a cognitive mind.
- Get plenty of sleep.
This is important. Many older people sleep less than they did when in their 40's. You can sleep longer, don't worry. A relaxed mind is a cognitive mind.
- Get regular Chiropractic adjustments
Thousands of older patients swear by the life-saving miracle of Chiropractic. It eliminates health-draining subluxations, removes nerve blockages, and helps your bodies innate healing powers win any battle against infection or disease. A subluxation-free body leads to a cognitive mind.
- Avoid MDs
This is a given. Big Pharma doctors push expensive drugs rather than helping patients make lifestyle changes. Instead of the diet above they'd feed you cholesterol pills. Instead of exercise mentioend above they'd push blood pressure pills on you. A drug-free mind is a cognitive mind.
It's YOUR life, TAKE CONTROL!
Take care,
Bob.
err, 'reported feeling' (Score:4, Insightful)
She doesn't seem to have a version of the study itself on her website, but I certainly hope the methodology is more rigorous than this makes it sound:
I am quite sure many Bejeweled Blitz players, if asked after playing some Bejeweled Blitz if their pattern recognition had improved, would tell you "yes". But a more interesting question is whether it had, in fact, improved.