Spatial Skills: A Cognitive Map for Improvement
New insights into how we can sharpen our spatial memory suggest that certain activities—from old-fashioned orienteering to modern virtual reality—offer distinct benefits.
Beyond GPS: The Real-World Path to Better Navigation
The reliance on GPS may come at a cognitive cost. Research indicates that frequent use of GPS is linked to poorer spatial memory. The article notes this does not imply that commercial computer games generally improve memory. In contrast, active navigation—such as orienteering, navigating without a GPS device, and childhood play with building blocks—has been shown to enhance spatial skills.
A Promising Virtual Reality Intervention
A small trial involving older adults offers a more direct link. Participants who played a specialized virtual reality spatial navigation game designed by researchers were found to have improved memory.
Important Distinction: This finding is specific to a targeted VR intervention and should not be generalized to all commercial video games.