dailyloe.com – A recent study reveals that the real-time competitive game League of Legends (LoL) may enhance certain cognitive abilities more effectively than turn-based strategy card games.
The findings, reported by Japan’s ITmedia on April 28, come from researchers at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China. They published their paper in the journal Brain Sciences in December 2025.
The study compared LoL, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, with the turn-based card game Sanguosha. Researchers recruited 68 university students with fewer than 50 hours of gaming experience over the past year.
Participants played each game for one hour a day, five days a week, over five months. They underwent six rounds of cognitive tasks and five rounds of electroencephalogram (EEG) measurements at various points, including before and during play, and up to 10 weeks after play ended.
Both gaming groups showed improvements in cognitive abilities. Researchers reaffirmed that sustained, high cognitive-load activities strengthen brain function, regardless of the game type.
Participants’ scores improved across all three cognitive tasks. However, the LoL group significantly outperformed the Sanguosha group on tasks requiring rapid situation assessment and tracking multiple goals.
The cognitive performance gap persisted 10 weeks post-gaming, with some indicators widening further. This suggests that the effects of playing LoL are stronger and longer-lasting.
EEG analysis indicated notable changes, with increased power in the slow-frequency delta-theta band for both groups. Connectivity between brain regions decreased in the alpha band.
Researchers interpreted the delta-theta increase as a sign of enhanced learning and adaptation. The reduction in alpha connectivity indicated a more efficient state with less unnecessary information exchange.
The magnitude of these changes was greater in the real-time game group. The decline in alpha-band connectivity may result from higher brain network efficiency and lower energy consumption.
A key finding was the persistence of cognitive improvements. Even 10 weeks after participants ceased playing, cognitive performance and EEG changes were maintained or further enhanced.
