20% of casual gamers are disabled

The research, carried out by the Information Solutions Group, involved responses from 13,296 casual gamers, and also found that only 26 per cent of disabled casual gamers were said to play traditional video games.

Depression, ADD / ADHA and Rheumatoid Arthritis / Osteoarthritis ranked as the most common types of conditions amongst casual gamers.

The study found that those with disabilities typically play casual games more frequently and longer than non-disabled consumers, and find the benefits to include stress release, mood lifting, and "distraction".

"Games like Bejeweled and Peggle, with simple controls that are also mentally challenging and engaging are ideal for me, because my mind moves as quickly as the next guy's but I type with a mouth-stick," noted 58-year-old Gary Robinson, who is described as having "severe physical disabilities."

"In some ways, games like these are the greatest thing that's appeared on the computer scene for people like me," he added.

The topline data from the report was as follows:

Most Common Disabilities
 
Physical (46% overall)
                + Rheumatoid Arthritis/Osteoarthritis (14%)
                + Fibromyalgia (11%)
                + Multiple Sclerosis (7%)

Mental (29% overall)
                + Moderate/Severe Depression (41%)
                + Bipolar Disorder (16%)
                + Anxiety Disorder (15%)

Developmental/Learning (25% overall)
                + ADD/ADHD (46%)
                + Autism (15%)
                + Dyslexia (11%)

Most Common Perceived Benefits
 
Physical
                + Stress relief (84%)
                + Distraction from disability issues (73%)

Mental
                + Stress relief (87%)
                + Mood-lifting (78%)

Developmental/Learning
                + Improved concentration (79%)
                + Improved coordination/manual dexterity (73%)