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Best Video Games for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disorder that causes brain cells to waste away (degenerate) and die.
A new study from the University of Montreal proved that playing video games can cause brain cells to regenerate which in-turn, slows the progress of Alzheimer’s disease and may even potentially cure the disease all together. The game used in the experiment was Super Mario 64, an adventure, puzzle platformer game.
If one game within this genre was successful in treating Alzheimer’s patients then here are some of the best games of the same variety that you can try.
Best Video Games for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time
Crash Bandicoot: It’s About Time maintains a fun filled gaming experience for all. Beyond that, the game has a great degree of depth which can be very beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients. This is because depth, equals more to learn and learning, is one of the key elements necessary for brain cell generation.
Toki Tori 2+
Toki Tori 2+ is one of the best games for treating Alzheimer’s because it has very simple controls and concepts which make it accessible to almost anyone. It is also easy to understand with very captivating gameplay.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild can be very effective in treating Alzheimer’s disease because of how immersive it is coupled with its accessibility. This makes it easy to forget that you are playing it as a form of prescription as you heal with glee and excitement.
Super Mario 3D World
This is one of the successors of the game that was used in the study, Super Mario 64. As such, it has all the elements that made Super Mario 64 a success and more. The controls have become a bit more complex between then and now but only to complement a much deeper and enriched gameplay.
ibb & obb
ibb & obb captivates players with a very simple but fun and addictive gameplay. It is a cooperative puzzle platformer which is a huge plus considering patients won’t be playing alone. It can be one of the many ways in which patients can spend time with others while directly fighting Alzheimer’s disease.
FEZ
Fez has a rather straightforward and easy to understand gameplay. There are no overly complicated gameplay mechanics which makes it suitable for players of all ages. Though simplistic, it has quite a bit of depth courtesy of an interesting 3D component which keeps players captivated.
Super Mario Odyssey
Super Mario Odyssey is arguably the best 3D platformer of the Super Mario franchise. This is due to how expansive it is while maintaining the Super Mario essence. It is simple to get into, rated “E” for everyone and has a well of content to learn and experience. This also makes it one to consider playing if you have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has been a gaming sensation since release and it is due to every aspect of it being tailored towards having fun. It has very simple-to-learn controls while providing some of the most rewarding gaming experiences. Its accessibility alone makes it viable for Alzheimer’s disease patients but it also guarantees loads of fun.
Human Fall Flat
This is a very fun game to both play and watch. This is due to its quirky mechanics and characters that move languidly around the environment. At first glance, it appears to be another wacky party game but it has a great deal of strategy and tactics involved which broadens its appeal to even Alzheimer’s and early stage dementia patients.
Evergate
Evergate is very beautiful to look at and equally satisfying to play. The gameplay is slightly on the more technical side for a platformer but it is simple enough to learn and excel. Its depth makes it a good game to play as a treatment for Alzheimer’s patients as this is a condition required for brain cell development.
Conclusion
Though research shows that video games can help the brain restore and or generate new brain cells, the study is still too young for the technique to be prescribed as a fix. If you or anyone you know is experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important that you contact your doctor for a professional diagnosis and prescription.
Very interesting topic, I wonder if in the future there’ll be games developed specifically to address and possibly help certain conditions
It is indeed interesting. The research is there and is expanding so it is only a matter of time before video games are developed to specifically target some conditions. However, quite a few of existing titles are being used in conjunction with traditional treament.