Extended hours of video game play and negative physical symptoms and pain
Abstract
Background: Video games are a source of positive experiences and joy for many people. However, some interaction styles may lead to negative consequences. We aimed to examine the potential negative physical problems associated with video gaming behaviors.
Method: Data were from the 2022 International Gaming Study (IGS22), a cross-sectional survey of 955 individuals aged 18-94 (M=46.10 [16.19]; 45% male) who played video games. We examined the association between prolonged continuous game play and physical problems identified in the past 12 months.
Results: Playing video games for three or more hours in one session was associated with higher odds of negative physical symptoms (e.g., overall physical problems, OR=2.80 [95% CI: 1.52-5.16, p < 0.001 and back or neck pain, OR=2.19 [95% CI: 1.28-3.74], p < 0.01). Those who met the Ten-Item Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT-10) threshold for internet gaming disorder had four times higher odds of physical problems. The positive associations between extended gaming behavior and physical symptoms were not moderated by age, gender, plans to be a professional player, or meeting the diagnostic criteria for internet gaming disorder.
Conclusions: Physical problems and pain occur disproportionately in individuals who engage in extended hours of continuous game play, including risk, women, individuals in older age groups, and those without internet gaming disorder. Video game players across the demographic spectrum should be alerted to these risks.