Short-term effects of playing computer games on attention
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 20, 2026
Combining Computer Game-Based Behavioural Experiments With High-Density EEG and Infrared Gaze Tracking
Published on: December 16, 2010
Aysegul Yolga Tahiroglu1, Gonca Gul Celik, Ayse Avci
1Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. ayolga@gmail.com
Objective:
The main aim of the present study is to investigate the short-term cognitive effects of computer games in children with different psychiatric disorders and normal controls.
Method:
One hundred one children are recruited for the study (aged between 9 and 12 years). All participants played a motor-racing game on the computer for 1 hour. The TBAG form of the Stroop task was administered to all participants twice, before playing and immediately after playing the game.
Results:
Participants with improved posttest scores, compared to their pretest scores, used the computer on average 0.67 +/- 1.1 hr/day, while the average administered was measured at 1.6 +/- 1.4 hr/day and 1.3 +/- 0.9 hr/day computer use for participants with worse or unaltered scores, respectively. According to the regression model, male gender, younger ages, duration of daily computer use, and ADHD inattention type were found to be independent risk factors for worsened posttest scores.
Conclusion:
Time spent playing computer games can exert a short-term effect on attention as measured by the Stroop test.
