Smartphone video games effectively improve cognitive function in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia: a randomized clinical trial

Cognitive dysfunction in chronic schizophrenia has a serious impact on the quality of life of middle-aged and elderly patients. It is urgent to find an economical and effective treatment to improve cognitive function. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of free video games on cognitive function and blood factors in middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia. The study began in July 2021 and ended in February 2022. The subjects suffered from chronic schizophrenia and were aged between 40–65 years old. Participants were randomly divided into control group (n = 15) and game group (n = 12). The control group watched TV for 1 h every day, and the game group played video games for 1 h every day. Both groups were five days a week for six weeks. This study found that compared with the control group, the cognitive function of the game group was significantly improved (P < 0.001). The level of GDNF in the game group was significantly increased, and the levels of Tau, MIP-1 and MIP-4 were decreased. Serum GDNF and MIP-1 were significantly correlated with cognitive function. In conclusion, smartphone free video games effectively improve the cognitive function of middle-aged and elderly patients with chronic schizophrenia. In addition, blood factors GDNF, Tau, MIP-1 and MIP-4 may be serum markers for predicting cognitive function. It provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of cognitive impairment. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry Identifier: ChiCTR2100044113