Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

February 10, 2010

scanners headache A study into whether or not videogames, along with other electronic media and devices, cause headaches or migraines in adolescents ultimately determined that there was no link between the two.

Medical News Today details the study (PDF), which queried 1,025 kids between 13 and 17 years of age. 489 of those interviewed claimed to suffer from headaches, while the remaining 536 indicated no such affliction. Comparing the groups, researchers found no deviation between the two when it came to television viewing, electronic gaming, mobile phone usage or computer usage.

The study concluded:

With respect to the current debate on adverse health effects of electronic-media use, we cannot point to systematic effects of single media types nor on specific types of headache which might predominantly be caused by the use of electronic media.

The study did suggest a casual link between daily music intake and headache suffering however.

Posted in Games & Health Video Game Research

Comments

Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by Zerodash on Thu, 02/11/2010 - 12:25.

I have had chronic headaches for the last 10 years, and playing games or sitting at a computer for longer than 30min at a time triggers them. Its all about posture- the presence of electronics is irrelevant, as the same happens when I sit to read books. I havent read the study, but I hope posture was also considered.

Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by ryagor on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 17:49.

Tell that to all the people who watched "Electric Soldier Porygon" when it came out. Please stop all this half-assed psuedo-science.

Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by Dejiko on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 22:08.

the problem with that episode was that it caused seizures with rapid flashes, not headaches or migranes.

Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by Kincyr on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 19:12.

although that lead to some actual scientific breakthroughs:

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1999/06/990601080722.htm (discovery of a new subtype of epilepsy)
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/news/20040721/pokemon-seizures-linked-epilepsy-not-tv (those with no history had existing underlying conditions that put them at risk)

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Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by Bennett Beeny on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:32.

Logically, from an Engrish standpoint, shouldn't that be 'Erectlic Sordiel Porygon'?

Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by DarkSaber on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:43.

HA "erect"

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I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

Re: Study Reveals One Less Headache for Game Industry

Submitted by DarkSaber on Wed, 02/10/2010 - 18:55.

I'm sorry but comparing interview results barely qualifies as a study, and only an idiot would conclude there is absolutely no link based on word of mouth.

This "study" is about as thorough, scientific and conclusive as that bloody Supernanny one with the pencils and violent games.

--------------------------------------------------

I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

-------------------------------------------------- I LIKE the fence. I get 2 groups to laugh at then.

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