There is some interesting new research showing how video games can improve visual skills. The research by Renjie Li and others from the University of Rochester and published in Nature Neuroscience showed how playing an action based vidoe game improved Contrast Sensitivity Function (CFS). This was a good study with controls and pre and post assessment showing clearly that it was the video game training that made the difference. The key factor was that only action games worked e.g. Call of Duty. Non action games such as the Sims didn’t result in improvements. Contrast Sensitivity is the visual ability to see objects that may not be outlined clearly or that do not stand out from their background. It is a visual perceptual function that is important for night vision, facial perception, reading and a host of other activities. Whilst physical properties in the eye are involved it is also a neurological function. The study was on adults but I don’t see why the same effects wouldn’t be seen in children. The study showed that training using the video games can improved contrast sensitivity and therefore neural function. This provides further evidence that video games may be a very important way to improve neurological function. However as I have reported in other posts it is a question of targeting the right areas with the right games. It is important to have a good research base. Not all games work and not all functions can be trained. For those of you interested the Center for Visual Science at University of Rochester has a number of papers looking at the use of video game training in visual, motor and attentional tasks.