Can video games help your Parkinson’s?

When I was growing up, my brother and I loved playing video games. We would go to the local arcade and plucked coin after coin in the slot to keep on playing classics like Pac-Man or Mario bros.  Then came the evolution of video games with the release of Atari, Sega, and Nintendo home gaming systems.  Now, there has been a debate if video games are bad for us because of the violence they can depict, encouraging social isolation leading to depression and anxiety.  But what about us Parkies?  Is there any benefit to joining the gaming world?

To start off I had begun playing games on my iPad.  Puzzle games, crosswords, hidden object games, and of course Candy Crush or Angry Birds. I notice that I could distract myself and go into another world where I didn’t have Parkinson’s, I was just moving around puzzle pieces to win the game.  Would I have the same impact if I were to try an actual video game console?  Would I still have Parkinson’s?  Or could I step out of that role while also improving my PD?   

I was ready to test that theory.  I purchased a PlayStation 4… which is a home gaming system that I could practice the art of surviving the zombie apocalypse while being immersed in a game called The Last of Us.  The game was like a movie and I was the star.   There is a story that sets up the game and then you slowly begin to interact with your environment. Then came my first zombie, called a clicker.  No tremor, or rigidity here… I just destroyed the enemy. Yes, it was difficult to remember what button to push and when, but I didn’t have Parkinson’s in the game. It just took some practicing and then I was off to conquer the world. 

Another feature of the game were these factions that you could join which were teams of people that play in the video game against each other in real time.  Want to be even more badass? If you get a headset, you could hear the other people on your team and talk back to them as they play the same game at the same time! You can create your own little Wolfpack within the zombie world.     

I believe video games have the potential to help improve your Parkinson’s because of the following:

-You have to learn patterns of pushing buttons which requires concentration and coordination.

-You work on your problem-solving skills.  If you get stuck in a tricky situation, you have to use your brain to get away from the man-eating monster who’s chasing you. Are going to run away or stay and fight?

-Video games take you out of your everyday life.  Sometimes you just want a break from the real world.  Put on a game and you can be whoever you like.  

-Improvement of hand-eye-brain coordination. You make your brain seek a solution to the challenge in the game, use your eyes to assess the situation, and then your hands press buttons to initiate the action. 

-It can improve visuospatial awareness as you move throught the landscape.

-You will have to use your memory to get around the objectives of the game. Great cognitive challenges for your brain.   

Things to keep in mind:

-Video Games can be addicting especially if you’re taking a dopamine agonist.  So just like anything, use it in moderation.  If you’ve played for a couple of hours, take a break.  

-You can join the fellowship of the gaming world, which will make you cool no matter what age.  

-There are so many options for games whether you design houses on your iPad or slingshot angry birds at piggies, you are challenging your brain.  

-There are video games that get you up and moving, so you don’t feel like working out, plug in your Nintendo Wii Fit and get to it.  

-There are even specific games that are meant to train your brain, such as Elevate or Lumosity Just go to your app store on your smartphone and look up brain games.  Then you will begin your journey into the gaming world. 

I’m wondering if any of my readers have dabbled in video games, or found anything that has help you? Please share.