Gaming and Health

Playing video games is one of the most popular activities in the world. It is estimated that 164 million Americans play video games (Harvard Health, 2020). A video game can be played on a computer, gaming console or even a mobile phone. Gaming can be a fun hobby or even a competitive sport. Although gaming can be fun there are health risks associated with too much game time.

Adverse Effects

Gaming Injuries

•	Repetitive or overuse injuries can be commonplace with too much gaming. This could include gamers thumb (which is tendonitis of the thumb joint) this can lead to swelling and limited movement.
•	Carpal tunnel syndrome which can cause inflammation of the nerve in the wrist, which in turn, causes pain and numbness (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020).
•	Back pain and neck pain have been associated with too much  gaming in relationship to poor posture during long gaming sessions (Ayenigbara, 2017).

 

Vision Issues
Staring at a video game screen can cause eyestrain. The visual strain from frequent video game use over extended periods of time may result in headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting (Ayenigbara, 2017).

 

Obesity
Too much time in front of the screen and not much movement leads to obesity. In a study done by the Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2020) a single session of video game play in a healthy male adolescent was associated with increased food intake, regardless of appetite (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020).

 

Seizures
The first documented case of a video game inducing a seizure was reported in 1981 (Ayenigbara, 2017). Further studies throughout the 90s concluded that video games only cause seizures in people that are already predisposed to epilepsy.

 

Gaming Addiction
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), internet gaming disorder is a unique syndrome and it is defined as experiencing at least five of the following criteria over a 12-month period:
 

•	Gaming preoccupation
•	Withdrawal
•	Loss of interest in other activities
•	Built-up tolerance
•	Downplaying use
•	Loss of relationship, educational or career opportunities
•	Gaming to escape or relieve anxiety, guilt or other negative mood states
•	Failure to control continued gaming despite psychological problems (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020).

Positive Effects

Pain management
Video games are used in pain management as a distraction technique mainly for pediatric patients. The amount of attention needed to play a game can distract the player from the sensation of pain (Griffiths, 2005).

 

Occupational therapy
Video games have also been used in many different forms within the area of occupational therapy. Unlike traditional occupational therapy techniques, the use of using video games does not rely on passive movements and painful manipulation of limbs. Video games have been used widely in the form of physiotherapy for arm injuries and to increase hand strength (Griffiths, 2005).

Conclusion

Video games can be an entertaining and fun pastime, it can also allow people to interact socially through a virtual community. Although there has been proven benefits of gaming, it is fair to say that negative effects outweigh the positive. As with many other activities that have potential harms, moderation is the key. Limiting the number of hours spent in front of the screen and making sure to engage in healthy activities like exercising, eating healthy and socializing face to face, is the way to a healthy lifestyle.