The Playing Brain. The Impact of Video Games on Cognition and Behavior in Pediatric Age at the Time of Lockdown: A Systematic Review

Smirni, Daniela; Garufo, Elide; Falco, Luca Di; Lavanco, Gioacchino

doi:10.3390/pediatric13030047

Cited by 28 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 133 publications

(187 reference statements)

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“…There is indeed some evidence that pandemic-related changes in lifestyle impact cognition (e.g., Fiorenzato et al, 2021 ; Okely et al, 2021 ). However, many of these studies did not record COVID-19 infection history ( Okely et al, 2021 ; Smirni et al, 2021 ) so it is difficult to ascertain to what degree these findings may have been related to COVID-19 infection. One study that did control for this ( Fiorenzato et al, 2021 ) identified significant declines in self-reported attention and executive function, however, showed reduced reports of forgetfulness compared with pre-lockdown.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVCOG 1: Factors Predicting Physical, Neurological and Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID in a Community Sample. A First Publication From the COVID and Cognition Study

Guo

Ballesteros

Yeung

et al. 2022

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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Since its first emergence in December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has evolved into a global pandemic. Whilst often considered a respiratory disease, a large proportion of COVID-19 patients report neurological symptoms, and there is accumulating evidence for neural damage in some individuals, with recent studies suggesting loss of gray matter in multiple regions, particularly in the left hemisphere. There are a number of mechanisms by which COVID-19 infection may lead to neurological symptoms and structural and functional changes in the brain, and it is reasonable to expect that many of these may translate into cognitive problems. Indeed, cognitive problems are one of the most commonly reported symptoms in those experiencing “Long COVID”—the chronic illness following COVID-19 infection that affects between 10 and 25% of patients. The COVID and Cognition Study is a part cross-sectional, part longitudinal, study documenting and aiming to understand the cognitive problems in Long COVID. In this first paper from the study, we document the characteristics of our sample of 181 individuals who had experienced COVID-19 infection, and 185 who had not. We explore which factors may be predictive of ongoing symptoms and their severity, as well as conducting an in-depth analysis of symptom profiles. Finally, we explore which factors predict the presence and severity of cognitive symptoms, both throughout the ongoing illness and at the time of testing. The main finding from this first analysis is that that severity of initial illness is a significant predictor of the presence and severity of ongoing symptoms, and that some symptoms during the initial illness—particularly limb weakness—may be more common in those that have more severe ongoing symptoms. Symptom profiles can be well described in terms of 5 or 6 factors, reflecting the variety of this highly heterogenous condition experienced by the individual. Specifically, we found that neurological/psychiatric and fatigue/mixed symptoms during the initial illness, and that neurological, gastrointestinal, and cardiopulmonary/fatigue symptoms during the ongoing illness, predicted experience of cognitive symptoms.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVCOG 1: Factors Predicting Physical, Neurological and Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID in a Community Sample. A First Publication From the COVID and Cognition Study

Guo

Ballesteros

Yeung

et al. 2022

Front. Aging Neurosci.

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show abstract

“…Overall, research agrees that any debate on the effects of video games cannot be addressed from a rigid dichotomous approach, according to which playing video games is good or bad. Instead, online gaming should be conceptualized as a continuum, depending on the time spent playing and the characteristics of both the individual and the game (i.e., content, context, structure, mechanics) [ 43 , 44 ]. In particular, the current investigation suggests that playing video games in moderation may be a helpful strategy to cope with stress, aversive emotions, and loneliness during a lockdown situation, especially those that encourage physical activity and social interactions [ 20 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…On the other hand, setting restrictions on the time, place, and content of video games seem to be effective strategies to prevent or reduce symptoms in those children who developed addictive behaviors in this pandemic period [ 45 ]. Parents should also foster alternative avenues for social interaction, meaningful leisure activities, and a wider repertoire of interests among their offspring to maintain the right balance with offline activities in their daily routines [ 44 , 45 ]. Finally, it is important to ensure that young people have access to mental health resources and provide therapists with training on problematic media use to help them recover from the isolation and stress of the pandemic [ 42 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Associated Factors and Life Conditions

Bosch

Pagerols

Prat

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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This study investigated the psychological impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among youth by analyzing their emotional/behavioral problems before and during the long-lasting lockdown in Spain. For that purpose, 699 parents with children aged 6–17 and 552 adolescents aged 12–17, who completed the parent and adolescent version of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire at the beginning of 2019, responded to a survey from 26 May to 15 June 2020 that assessed psychological well-being and life conditions during quarantine (i.e., sociodemographic characteristics, situation before the lockdown, physical environment and accompaniment during the lockdown, COVID-related variables). According to both parent- and self-reports, children and youth experienced a significant worsening in emotional symptoms, conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, peer problems, and total difficulties subscales. Findings also suggested that impairment was mainly associated with variables related to the child’s situation prior to home quarantine, the quality and quantity of the child’s social networks during the lockdown, the daily routines the child followed, the concerns the child had about health, and the presence of economic and learning problems caused by the COVID-19. Thus, the present investigation emphasizes the need for carefully monitoring the mental health of younger people, provides guidance for the development of interventions that mitigate some of the psychological difficulties faced in a situation of confinement, and highlights the importance of paying special attention to high-risk groups.

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“…The internet offers the opportunity to engage in numerous online leisure activities, but, for some vulnerable individuals, these can become more than just entertainment and can lead to problematic behaviours (e.g., [6,73]). The present research identified several factors that may be associated with pathological gambling among online gamblers.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Alexithymia, Dissociation, and Family Functioning in a Sample of Online Gamblers: A Moderated Mediation Study

Topino

Gori

Cacioppo

2021

IJERPH

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The diffusion of the internet and technological progress have made gambling on online platforms possible, also making it more anonymous, convenient, and available, increasing the risk of pathological outcomes for vulnerable individuals. Given this context, the present study explores the role of some protective and risk factors for problematic gambling in online gamblers by focusing on the interaction between alexithymia, dissociation, and family functioning. A sample of 193 online gamblers (Mage = 28.8 years, SD = 10.59; 17% females, 83% males) completed the South Oaks Gambling Screen, Twenty-Items Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Dissociative Experience Scale-II, and Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales-IV through an online survey. MANOVA, ANOVA and moderated mediation analyses were carried out to analyse the data. Significant differences in cohesive family functioning, alexithymia and dissociation have been found between online gamblers with problematic, at-risk or absent levels of gambling disease. Furthermore, the results showed a significant and positive association between alexithymia and problematic online gambling, partially mediated by dissociation, with the moderation of cohesive family functioning. Such data may have relevant clinical implications, highlighting the interaction of some core personal and environmental variables that may be involved in the etiology of online pathological gambling and could be kept in mind to tailor preventive interventions.

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The Playing Brain. The Impact of Video Games on Cognition and Behavior in Pediatric Age at the Time of Lockdown: A Systematic Review

Cited by 28 publications

References 133 publications

COVCOG 1: Factors Predicting Physical, Neurological and Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID in a Community Sample. A First Publication From the COVID and Cognition Study

COVCOG 1: Factors Predicting Physical, Neurological and Cognitive Symptoms in Long COVID in a Community Sample. A First Publication From the COVID and Cognition Study

Changes in the Mental Health of Children and Adolescents during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Associated Factors and Life Conditions

Alexithymia, Dissociation, and Family Functioning in a Sample of Online Gamblers: A Moderated Mediation Study

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