Virtual Gaming May Enhance Working Memory for Youth With ADHD

Virtual gaming has redefined what constitutes “playtime” for many children and adolescents, but no consensus has yet been reached on how helpful or harmful that trend may be, especially for youth living with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A literature review presented via poster at the 2024 American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting in New York City, though, suggests that video games may not be all-harm in effect for children with ADHD, even with the increased risk of developing pathological gaming (PG) or Internet Gaming Disorder (IGD).

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Poster author Ikroop Miglani, medical student, California Health Sciences University, sought to “explore the therapeutic value of video games” in potentially helping youth living with ADHD “learn delayed gratification coping skills.” Miglani identified 4 studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 2 literature reviews) through Google Scholar and PubMed that discuss “video game therapy” in relation to pediatric ADHD.

Both randomized controlled trials, with results exhibiting p<0.01, concluded that virtual gaming utilized in “digital cognitive rehabilitation improved executive functioning” in pediatric patients with ADHD.

Additionally, one of the systematic reviews, which encompassed 128 studies, concluded that dedicated play of video games “shows promise as an effective cognitive rehabilitation tool” for youth living with ADHD.

Based on the existing literature, Miglani concluded that there is “potential” in “cognitive computer game training” as an element of ADHD treatment, but more research is needed to determine how to best incorporate video games into treatment plans.

Reference

Miglani I. The poison or the cure? The therapeutic value of video games in ADHD. Poster presented at the American Psychiatric Association Annual Meeting; May 4-8, 2024; New York, New York.