Engaging in digital puzzle games could potentially benefit memory functions among older adults: Study

A new study found that older people who play digital puzzle games had the same memory abilities as persons in their twenties. The study, from the University of York, also found that adults aged 60 and over who play digital puzzle games had a greater ability to ignore irrelevant distractions, but older adults who played strategy games did not show the same improvements in memory or concentration. The research found that older people who played digital puzzle games had the same memory abilities as those in their twenties. “Puzzle games for older people had this surprising ability to support mental capabilities to the extent that memory and concentration levels were the same as a 20 year-olds who had not played puzzle games.” Older people were however more likely to forget elements committed to memory whilst being distracted if they only played strategy games, and young people were less successful at focusing attention if they played only puzzle games.