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Guitar Hero Used to Test Impact of Sleep on Motor Learning

By pete_gallagher

Want to totally rock out in Guitar Hero III? Play the game after a full night's sleep.

Dr. Kevin Peters of Ontario's Trent University recently conducted a study that involved 15 college kids (13 women and 2 men) playing the music title, as detailed in an ANI story. Those under the microscope played Guitar Hero III immediately after a 12-hour wake period (9 AM to 9 PM) and after a 12-hour sleep period (9PM to 9AM). Each time they had to play until they reached an accuracy level of between 50 and 75 percent.

When first trying out the game, subjects were able to play around 61 percent of the notes accurately. Following the wake period, that figure rose to 63 percent. Playing after the sleep period resulted in scores averaging 68 percent accuracy, causing Peters to state, '… these results demonstrate a significant link between sleep and motor learning.'

Peters intends to use Guitar Hero III for a sort of reverse test, in which he will attempt to quantify how playing the game affects brain activity during sleep.

Full post as published by GamePolitics.com on June 10, 2010 (boomark / email).