Tempo de reação auditiva em jogadores de jogos eletrônicos e não jogadores: medição via sincronização em smartphones

Abstract

Reaction time (RT) is a fundamental measure of cognitive processing speed, and the practice of electronic games has been associated with its optimization. However, measuring RT on non-laboratory devices, such as smartphones, presents methodological challenges. This study had a dual objective: to compare auditory RT between gamers and non-gamers and to evaluate the measurement bias of a software-only based method (RTAlg) compared to an acoustically synchronized method (RTAudio). The sample consisted of 18 young adults (mean age = 22 years), divided into a group of gamers (n = 8) and a group of non-gamers (n = 10). Measurements were performed using the Fast Fingers application, developed by researchers from the Federal University of Pará for reaction time experiments on smartphones. The software employs two methods: one based on code timestamps (RTAlg) and another that is acoustically synchronized (RTAudio), in which the internal microphone captures the peak of the sound stimulus for greater accuracy. The results demonstrated the existence of a significant and large-magnitude measurement bias in the RTAlg method, which overestimated the actual RT by an average of 478 ms (p < 0.001). In the performance comparison using the accurate RTAudio method, no statistically significant difference was found between the groups (W = 25, p = 0.203). However, the effect size analysis (Cliff's Delta = -0.375) revealed a medium-magnitude difference, suggesting the study was underpowered. It is concluded that RT measurement on smartphones requires acoustic synchronization to ensure data validity and that, although the performance difference between the groups was not statistically confirmed, the observed trend justifies future investigations with larger samples. This study contributes not only to the methodological discussion in reaction time research but also to potential practical applications in fields such as education, sports, and rehabilitation. The validation of accessible cognitive measurement methods may promote the democratization of neuropsychological assessments and support the development of mobile technologies aimed at health and human performance.