A survey conducted by East Carolina University Psychophysiology Department is finding that playing PopCap's games, such as Bejeweled and Peggle, improves cognitive function. PopCap has highlighted the fact the the study, which has been underway some six-months, is in no way underwritten by the giant of casual gaming.
The Psychophysiology Lab and Biofeedback Clinic at ECU's director Dr. Carmen Russoniello is presenting initial data and analysis from the study today at the 6th annual Games for Health Conference in Boston.
“The initial results of the study are very intriguing, in that they suggest that the 'active participation' required while playing a casual video game like Bejeweled provides an opportunity for mental exercise that more passive activities, like watching television, do not,” said Russoniello. “Future applications could include prescriptive applications using casual video games to potentially stave off Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-type disorders.”