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. 2018 May-Jun;9(3):177-186.
doi: 10.29252/nirp.bcn.9.3.177.

The Beneficial or Harmful Effects of Computer Game Stress on Cognitive Functions of Players

Hamed Aliyari  1   2 , Hedayat Sahraei  2 , Mohammad Reza Daliri  3 , Behrouz Minaei-Bidgoli  4 , Masoomeh Kazemi  2 , Hassan Agaei  2 , Mohammad Sahraei  5 , Seyed Mohammad Ali Seyed Hosseini  6 , Mohammad Mehdi Hadipour  2 , Mohammad Mohammadi  7 , Zahra Dehghanimohammadabadi  8
Affiliations

The Beneficial or Harmful Effects of Computer Game Stress on Cognitive Functions of Players

Hamed Aliyari et al. Basic Clin Neurosci. 2018 May-Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Video games are common cultural issues with great influence in all societies. One of the important cognitive effects of video games is on creating stress on video players. The present research objective was to study different types of stress in players based on video game styles.

Methods: A total of 80 players, aged 18 to 30 years, played four types of video games; Runner game, Excitement game, Fear game, and Puzzle game. In the beginning, the players filled in the form of personal information as well as some general and specialized information on the games. Before starting each game, the saliva samples of the players were collected to measure their level of cortisol and α-amylase. At the end of each game, the same samples were collected again. The concentrations of cortisol and α-amylase were measured using a specialized kit and an ELISA device. In addition, the variations of brain waves were recorded by an Emotiv system. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS and Matlab system (after and before playing video game).

Results: The research findings revealed that the salivary α-amylase concentration increased significantly after playing the Fear game, Runner game, and Excitement game and decreased significantly after playing the Puzzle game. Moreover, the concentration of salivary cortisol increased significantly after playing the Runner game, Excitement game, and Fear game and decreased significantly after playing the Puzzle game. The brain wave analysis also revealed that the level of stress experienced by playing Fear game was higher than the Excitement game.

Conclusion: According to the research findings, video games can affect the stress system as well as the cognitive system of humans depending on the game style. In addition, the type and level of stress triggered in the players depend on the game style.

Keywords: Excitement game; Fear game; NeuroGame; Puzzle game; Runner game; Stress.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest The authors have no potential conflict of interest pertaining to this journal submission.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The variations of the mean concentrations of the salivary α-amylase in the players that increased significantly after playing the four video games
Figure 2
Figure 2
The mean variations of the concentration of α-amylase after playing the four games The largest change was caused by the Fear game.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The variations of the mean concentration of the salivary cortisol in the participants increased significantly after playing the four games
Figure 4
Figure 4
The mean variations of the concentration of cortisol after playing the game showed that the highest change was caused by the fear game
Figure 5
Figure 5
The positions of the electrodes on the participants’ heads
Figure 6
Figure 6
The changes of the stress feature of the brain signals of a participant after playing the fear game
Figure 7
Figure 7
The changes of the stress feature of the brain signals of a participant after playing the Excitement game
Figure 8
Figure 8
The levels of the stress indicator in two different groups
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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