Abstract

Introduction: Stress and fear caused by computer games have been shown to have various effects on the cognitive system. This work was aimed to investigate the effects of short-time horror computer games on cognitive indicators. Methods: A total of twenty female subjects were recruited and divided into experimental and control groups. All required tests were performed before and after the intervention (playing or watching horror game) on the control and experimental groups. The saliva samples were collected before and after the intervention to measure levels of cortisol and alpha-amylase. Also, blood was taken before and during the game from each subject to evaluate plasma levels of oxytocin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The Brain waveforms were acquired by Emotive brain signal recording device before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using R and MATLAB software. Results: The cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were shown to significantly increase after the horror game playing. Also, the levels of oxytocin were significantly higher after the experimentation. The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor were displayed to reduce after the experimentation. The results of the brainwave analysis revealed that the average stress index was significantly higher, while the average attention index was lower after playing the game. No significant difference in the study variables was observed in the control group. Conclusion: Horror computer games may have adverse effects on the activity of the stress system in the central nervous system. Fear-induced stress was shown to relatively undermine some cognitive elements.