Video games improve health: study

Although video games often suffer from negative press concerning episodes of violence and rising obesity levels, a new journal aims to promote the benefits that they can bring to health.The Games for Health Journal is a new peer-reviewed bi-monthly from publishers Mary Ann Liebert and is the first of its kind to address this emerging sphere of healthcare.It will feature comment from researchers, game developers and others on their work to tackle Alzheimers, emotional health issues and other problems experienced especially in later life.Editor-in-chief of the new publication, Bill Ferguson, believes video games can offer multiple benefits to the elderly.Institutional living need not require the sacrifice of physical activity and fitness, he said.Furthermore, videogames offer an escape from routine. All of these benefits can improve the well-being of elderly adults.Previous studies endorsing the use of video games include a US report which found that cybercyclists experienced a 23 per cent reduction in progression to mild cognitive impairment compared to those using standard exercise machines.