Investigating brain activation with respect to playing video games on large screens

In this research, we investigated the changes in brain dynamics with respect to playing video games on large screens. The large screen refers to a 40-inch display used in the experiment. Electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded from the scalp while subjects played video games. A total of 14 male subjects participated in this study. EEG data was recorded for five minutes while the subjects did not play any game and this was served as baseline. Then, while video game play, EEG was recorded for 20 minutes. Analysis was made based on comparison between activation EEG data during game play and the baseline. EEG data was acquired using 19-channel EEG machine. The data was pre-processed to remove artifacts like eye blinking, eye movement and drowsiness. We used three EEG measures: absolute power, coherence and phase lag to analyse further analysed the data. The data were divided into four frequency bands. In general, beta band is associated with learning and making responses. In beta band (12-25 Hz), it was found that the absolute power was higher in occipital, parietal frontal and motor regions while playing video game as compared to sitting idly. For coherence, it was seen that the above mentioned regions were highly coherent in beta indicating connectivity between the regions. Phase lag indicated faster communication between the occipital, parietal, frontal and motor regions of the brain.