Do Video Games Improve Basic Visual Functions? – A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

This systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-regression aimed to investigate whether video games may improve basic visual functions. The searches were carried out in the PubMed/MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The sample consisted of 75 articles. Studies have shown improvements in visual acuity, eye movement, and contrast sensitivity. A meta-analysis demonstrated that video game training can improve the visual acuity of people with amblyopia (−0.27 [95% confidence interval: −0.53 to −0.01], <i>p</i> &lt; 0.04). A meta-regression analysis indicated that a minimum of 20 h of training is necessary to observe effects. These results suggest that controlled training with video games can modulate some visual functions. However, the research data refers to specific samples and tests, and the training protocols used were significantly different. Future studies should evaluate standardized research protocols and designs to understand the relationship between video game playing and vision changes. (PROSPERO registration: CRD42024223795).