JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The world health organization announced the inclusion of gaming disorder (GD) as one of disease despite some concerns. However, video gaming was associated with the enhancement of cognitive function. Moreover, despite the comparable extensive video gaming, pro-gamers did not show any negative symptoms that the individuals with GD reported. It is important to understand the association between extensive video gaming and alterations in brain regions more objectively.

Objective:

This study aimed to systematically explore the association between extensive video gaming and the changes in cognitive function by focusing on pro-gamers and individuals with GD.

Methods:

Literatures for pro-gamers and individuals with GD were searched in PubMed and Web of Science by using search terms (e.g., “pro-gamers” and “(Internet) gaming disorder”). While literatures for pro-gamers were searched without the date restriction, literatures for individuals with GD were included in search results when they were published since 2013. The selection of articles was conducted by following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results:

By following the PRISMA guidelines, 1903 records with unique titles were identified. Through the screening process of titles and abstracts, 86 full-text articles were accessed to determine the eligibility. A total of 18 studies were included in this systematic review. Among included 18 studies, six studies included pro-gamers as participants, one study included both pro-gamers and individuals with GD, and eleven studies included individuals with GD. Pro-gamers showed structural and functional alterations in brain regions (e.g. the left cingulate cortex, insula subregions and the prefrontal regions). Cognitive function (e.g., attention and sensori-motor function) and the cognitive control improved in pro-gamers. Individuals with GD showed structural and functional alterations in brain regions (e.g., the striatum, the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala) that were associated with impaired cognitive control and the higher level of the craving. They also showed increased cortical thickness in the middle temporal cortex which indicated the acquisition of better skills. Moreover, it was suggested that factors (e.g., the gaming expertise, the duration or the severity of GD and the level of self-control) seemed to modulate the association of the extensive VG playing with the changes in cognitive function.

Conclusions:

Although limited studies that included pro-gamers and/or individuals who reported to show symptoms of GD for more than one year were identified, this review contributed to the objective understanding of the association between the extensive VG playing and the changes in cognitive function. Conducting studies in a longitudinal design or with various comparison groups in the future would be helpful to deepen the understanding of the association.