Gotta catch ‘em all: Exploring the use of Pokémon Go to enhance cognition and affect.

Abstract

There has been a rapid development in mixed reality technologies that integrate virtual reality and real-world perception and cognition, commonly known as augmented reality. One of the most popular augmented reality exergames is Pokémon Go, which in 2019 had more than 147 million users. Although there is a growing body of research on the benefits of exergames in improving attention, visual-spatial skills, and affect, there are very few studies looking directly at Pokémon Go in this context. In the present study, we explored whether participants from a North Florida university who played Pokémon Go outdoors yielded improvements in working memory, attention, affect, and empathy compared with those who only walked outdoors. The findings indicated that verbal, but not visuospatial, working memory improved after participants played Pokémon Go in a natural environment. These working memory improvements were not evidenced when the participants walked in the same natural setting. Second, the number of false-positive responses (an impulsivity response) were also reduced after playing Pokémon Go in a natural environment. There was also a decrease in negative affect after participants played Pokémon Go but not in the control condition. The implications of these findings are discussed. Public Policy Relevance StatementAs Pokémon Go remains a popular exergame, an experimental design illustrated improvements in working memory, attention, and affect. These possible benefits of Pokémon Go may prove useful for practitioners and lay people alike, as Pokémon Go is a readily accessible and cost-effective tool.

Effects of Pokémon GO on Physical Activity and Psychological and Social Outcomes: A Systematic Review

“…In this case, only the parent article was included. Finally, 36 articles [ 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ] were included for this review.…”

“…In 14 studies [ 25 , 26 , 29 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 43 , 45 , 47 , 50 , 52 , 53 ], PA was assessed solely with subjective measures such as the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Eight studies [ 21 , 24 , 28 , 30 , 33 , 35 , 39 , 41 ], incorporated only objective measures to assess participants’ PA such as pedometers, accelerometers, wrist or arm-worn activity sensors, heart rate monitors, and mobile applications, such as the iPhone Health app, step-counting app, and ecological momentary assessment app. Finally, five studies [ 23 , 37 , 46 , 48 , 49 ] incorporated both subjective and objective assessments of PA, in which most of the objective measures used health or step-counting mobile applications.…”

“…The psychological outcomes varied and included affect [ 21 , 44 , 51 ], life satisfaction [ 27 , 51 ], emotional intelligence [ 31 , 40 ], vitality and empathy [ 27 ], attitude toward PA [ 29 ], psychological distress and wellbeing [ 42 , 55 ], neuroticism [ 56 ] working memory [ 21 , 31 , 40 ], selective attention and concentration capacity [ 31 , 40 ], and other cognitive performance, such as mathematical calculation and reading ability [ 31 , 40 ], and creative imagination [ 31 ]. Social indicators included interpersonal interaction [ 27 , 31 , 32 , 40 , 44 , 51 , 52 ], community belonging [ 54 ], empathy, [ 21 ] social anxiety, depression, and loneliness [ 51 ].…”

“…Comparing to studies focused on the effects on PA, there were relatively fewer articles that examined psychological and/or social effects (13 out of 36 studies) of Pokémon GO: seven studies investigated both psychological and social outcomes [ 21 , 27 , 31 , 32 , 40 , 44 , 51 ], four studies examined only psychological outcomes [ 29 , 42 , 55 , 56 ], and two explored only social effects [ 52 , 54 ] of the game. Eleven articles, which indicated psychological benefits of playing Pokémon GO, reported that the use of game was effective in improving affect and mood [ 21 , 32 , 42 , 51 , 55 , 56 ]. Specifically, it reduced: negative affect after just about an hour of play [ 21 ]; neurotic personality trait after 3 months of game play [ 56 ]; and psychological distress compared to non-players [ 42 ].…”

“…Eleven articles, which indicated psychological benefits of playing Pokémon GO, reported that the use of game was effective in improving affect and mood [ 21 , 32 , 42 , 51 , 55 , 56 ]. Specifically, it reduced: negative affect after just about an hour of play [ 21 ]; neurotic personality trait after 3 months of game play [ 56 ]; and psychological distress compared to non-players [ 42 ]. Additionally, playing Pokémon GO was related to psychological wellbeing, such as higher life satisfaction, happiness, and vitality [ 27 , 44 ], and various cognitive outcomes, such as verbal working memory in young adults [ 21 ], and selective attention, creativity, and concentration levels among adolescents [ 31 , 40 ].…”