Video game training does not enhance cognitive ability: A comprehensive meta-analytic investigation.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Meta-analysis of training trials and observational studies (Level 1 by design analogy)
PubMed 29239631 · doi:10.1037/bul0000139
What was done
The authors conducted three random-effects meta-analytic models evaluating the relationship between video games and cognitive ability. The first meta-analysis examined the correlation between video game skill and cognitive ability (k = 310 effect sizes). The second analyzed differences in cognitive ability between video game players and nonplayers (k = 315 effect sizes). The third evaluated intervention studies testing the effects of video game training on cognitive ability (k = 359 effect sizes).
What was found
Small or null overall effect sizes were reported across all three meta-analytic models (exact numerical effect sizes and confidence intervals were not provided in the abstract). The authors found no evidence of a causal relationship between video game training and enhanced cognitive ability, concluding that cognitive ability and video game skill are only weakly related.
Why it matters
This meta-analysis challenges widespread claims that video game interventions boost broad cognitive functions like attention and spatial skills, showing that video game training fails to produce far transfer.
Limits
The abstract does not provide the total number of individual human participants, specific effect size values, or confidence intervals. Subgroup characteristics such as age groups, game types, training regimens, or specific cognitive subdomains are not detailed in the abstract.
Cited by
- supports Attention training through tasks like video games produces task-specific improvements that do not generalize to other activities.