Can playing Bejeweled every day keep the doctor away? A recent study by the East Carolina University’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies suggests that casual games can relieve stress and improve one’s mood.

In a six month long randomized controlled study, 103 participants played Bejeweled 2, Peggle, and Bookworm Adventures, all made by PopCap Games. The control group was asked to search the internet for journal articles. The participants’ heart-rate variability, EEG, and mood states were measured before and after playing the aforementioned games.

Here are some interesting results from the study:

- Out of the three games, Bejeweled was found to reduce physical stress activity by 54%. There were no differences between males and females.

- Peggle had the greatest effect on overall mood, increasing it by 573% compared to Bejeweled 2 (435%) and Bookworm Adventures (303%).

- All three games reduced depression levels by 45% (Peggle), 43% (Bookworm Adventures) and 37% (Bejeweled 2).

- People in the experimental group experienced a reduction in confusion by 486% (Peggle), 462% (Bookworm Adventures), and Bejeweled (426%).

According to study director Dr. Carmen Russoniello, “These findings are especially intriguing as they present the possibility that casual games may be useful in ameliorating conditions such as attention deficit disorder, memory loss and general confusion attributed to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”

So there you have it, folks. When you come home from a long, hard day at work, fire up a rousing game of Peggle and add years to your life!

Source: Earthtimes

Tags: casual-games, peggle

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