Impact of Action Video Gaming Behavior on Attention, Anxiety, and Sleep Among University Students

Driving impairment due to psychoactive substances and attention deficit disorder: A pilot study

Objective

Attention disorder and substance use disorder are linked to driving impairment and increased road crash involvement. This study explores attention deficits in a population of drivers found driving under the influence (DUI) of psychoactive substances.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted comparing subjects with a previous DUI episode (cases) to subjects who were negative for DUI offenses (controls). Personal, socio-demographic, and DUI data were collected for both groups. All subjects were administered the Continuous Performance Test-third edition (CPT-3), which measures dimensions of attention, including inattentiveness, impulsivity, sustained attention, and vigilance. Possible associations with a previous DUI episode, the use of illicit substances or excessive alcohol use, and road crash involvement were analyzed statistically.

Results

Overall, the study included 147 subjects (100 cases, 47 controls). The parameter distributions of detectability, probability of ADHD, and inattentiveness indicated statistical differences between the two groups. No attention deficits predicted substance use disorder or excessive alcohol consumption. Inattentiveness was an independent risk factor for previous road collision involvement.

Conclusions

The results suggest that alterations exist in some attention dimensions in a population of DUI subjects who were users of alcohol or other psychoactive substances and involved in road traffic crashes. The CPT-3 had successfully distinguished between the two study groups, and after validation, it could be useful in the process of reinstating a driver's license. Future research should expand the study sample to better understand the relevance of the proposed methodological approach in terms of prevention, rehabilitation, and the monitoring of subjects evaluated for driving eligibility requirements.

Effects of smartphone addiction on cognitive function and physical activity in middle-school children: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate the effects of smartphone addiction on cognitive function and physical activity in middle-school children.

Methods

A population of 196 children (boys and girls) from middle schools were recruited for this study with an average age of 12.99 ± 0.81 years, a height of 153.86 ± 6.50 meters, a weight of 48.07 ± 7.31 kilograms, and a body mass index of 20.22 ± 2.08 kg/m2. Smartphone addiction was determined using Arabic versions of the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version, and physical activity levels were assessed by a physical activity questionnaire for older children. The working memory and selective attention domains of cognitive function were evaluated using a laptop screen's digital version of the memory automaticity and Flanker tasks, respectively. A one-way MANOVA was conducted to determine the differences in working memory between the smartphone-addicted and non-addicted groups. The relationship between smartphone addiction and physical activity was analyzed using Pearson's chi-squared test.

Results

The cognitive function-attention domain accuracy component showed a statistically significant difference between the groups, with a p-value of 0.05). The reaction time between smartphone-addicted and non-addicted children showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.817). The relationship between smartphone addiction and physical activity was statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Discussion

The interaction effects between physical activity and smartphone addiction on reaction times showed statistically insignificant (p = 0.25) differences, showing that physical activity's effect on reaction times did not depend on smartphone addiction levels. The non-addicted children had significantly higher physical activity levels than the addicted children, indicating that smartphone addiction reduced physical activity.

Action Video Gaming and Attention in Young Adults: A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

Existing research in action video games has increased in recent years due to the expansion of their use all over the world. Specifically, there is growing evidence about the positive development of the cognitive functions associated with the use of this kind of video game. Therefore, this work aims to explore the relationship between playing action video games and the development of attention span as well as the impact at the brain level from a functional perspective.

METHODS

Articles were searched in Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science. A total of 196 studies were retrieved, among which 13 studies were systematically reviewed.

RESULTS

The review has shown that playing action video games can improve cognitive functions, including attention, with reaction time and processing speed being the aspects that would most benefit from such practice, as well as the development of focused, sustained, and divided attention. Also, there are functional brain changes.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to deepen the understanding of the association between playing action video games and the development of attention.

Habitual Videogame Playing Does Not Compromise Subjective Sleep Quality and Is Associated with Improved Daytime Functioning

Research on the effects of videogames (VGs) on health has produced mixed results. Here, we assess the relationships of VG playing with sleep; chronotype; sleepiness; and levels of depression, anxiety, and stress; and how they are modulated by the level of exposure to VGs. Four hundred-and two adult participants (age = 26.2 ± 7.84; 227 F) completed an online survey including questions on VG use and a set of standardized questionnaires. The sample was divided into three groups: habitual gamers (HGs, 42.2%), nonhabitual gamers (NHGs, 36.5%), and non-gamers (NGs, 21.3%). No between-group differences emerged in sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale) or Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index measures except the sleep disturbances subscore, which was higher in NHGs. HGs showed delayed bed- and risetimes and higher eveningness (reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire). HGs and NHGs showed higher depression subscores (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale) but remained in the subclinical range. Moreover, hours/week of VG playing predicted delayed sleep timing, lower daytime dysfunction, and lower sleepiness. Our data suggest that VG playing does not necessarily compromise sleep quality and may even benefit daytime functioning, underlining the need to reconsider the relationships between VG use and health by taking into account possible modulating factors such as habitual VG exposure.

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among private medical college students in South India: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Medical education is competitive across the globe. The long duration of the medical and paramedical courses and exposure to clinical settings potentially causes mental health issues. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among undergraduate students in a private medical college in South India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted among paramedical and medical students at a private medical college hospital and research center in South India in the year 2021. The required sample size was calculated as 783 with an expected prevalence of 53%, 95% confidence interval (CI), design effect 2.0, and non-response of 10%. The study participants were selected based on simple random sampling. After obtaining informed consent, the data was collected using an email questionnaire. Standard data collection tools such as the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS); and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale - 21 (DASS-21) questionnaire were used. The investigator computed the odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with a 95% CI.

RESULTS

Out of 1200 students, 1015 (85%) responded to the email questionnaire. Among them, 639 were females (63%), and 925 were paramedics (91%). Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress were 59%, 43% and 11%, respectively. Almost 95% of students experienced moderate-to-severe stress in the last one month. Prevalence was higher among females and students of medical courses. Students of final year of college (aOR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.2-3.5) and students of medical course (aOR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1-2.4) were independently associated with stress among the study participants.

CONCLUSION

There is high prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among medical college students in south India. The final year of study and medical course were independently associated with higher stress than others. We recommend periodic assessment of mental health status and additional mental health care for final year students and medical students.