Playing video games can shake off depression in older people

Research scientists at San Diego School of Medicine at the University of California have found, in a recent study, that playing video games can help older people fight off depression.

The games that really help older people's brains are called "exergames" as they combine game play with exercise. The type of depression helped by this activity is termed subsyndromal known as SSD.

Dilip V Jeste is the main writer of the study, published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. He said: "SSD is much more common than major depression in 60-plus people and is associated with substantial suffering, functional disability, and increased use of costly medical services." He added that depression can mean that older people fail to keep to their exercise programmes which then turn out to be unsuccessful in tackling the illness. Mr Jeste said: "adults with depression may be at particular risk for diminished enjoyment of physical activity and therefore, more likely to stop exercise programmes prematurely.

There were 19 participants with SSD in the study, aged from 60 to 94. They had 35-minute sessions three times a week playing an exergame on the Nintendo Wii video game system. They expressed a level of high satisfaction and gave their ratings for enjoyment, mental effort and physical limitations.

The researchers said: "The study suggests encouraging results from the use of the exergames as more than one-third of the participants had a 50 per cent or greater reduction of depressive symptoms." Many experienced much improved mental well-being as well as "increased cognitive stimulation."

Post study feedback revealed that many older participants felt nervous about playing these games due to all the new technology involved. Just surmounting these difficulties would have given them a brain activity boost even before they started to play. Conquering these difficulties and apprehensions would give them a sense of achievement which in itself would improve self confidence and counteract depression. By the time the study ended most of the participants reported an enjoyable and satisfying experience.

Mr Jeste said: "The participants thought the exergames were fun, they felt challenged to do better and saw progress in their game play." He continued: "Having a high level of enjoyment and satisfaction, and a choice among activities, exergames may lead to sustained exercise in older adults."

However, the scientists warned of potential risks of injury from exergames so advised that these be practised with due care and precaution.

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