A new adaptive videogame for training attention and executive functions: design principles and initial validation

Abstract

A growing body of evidence suggests that action videogames could enhance a variety of cognitive skills and more specifically attention skills. The aim of this study was to develop a novel adaptive videogame to support the rehabilitation of the most common consequences of traumatic brain injury (TBI), that is the impairment of attention and executive functions. TBI patients can be affected by psychomotor slowness and by difficulties in dealing with distraction, maintain a cognitive set for a long time, processing different simultaneously presented stimuli, and planning purposeful behavior. Accordingly, we designed a videogame that was specifically conceived to activate those functions. Playing involves visuospatial planning and selective attention, active maintenance of the cognitive set representing the goal, and error monitoring. Moreover, different game trials require to alternate between two tasks (i.e., task switching) or to perform the two tasks simultaneously (i.e., divided attention/dual-tasking). The videogame is controlled by a multidimensional adaptive algorithm that calibrates task difficulty on-line based on a model of user performance that is updated on a trial-by-trial basis. We report simulations of user performance designed to test the adaptive game as well as a validation study with healthy participants engaged in a training protocol. The results confirmed the involvement of the cognitive abilities that the game is supposed to enhance and suggested that training improved attentional control during play.

Cognitive rehabilitation based on working brain reflexes using computer games over iPad

“…In order to improve or maintain those cognitive skills, not only are there traditional methods, but also technological solutions, such as an iPad-assisted cognitive training for users that are suffering form schizophrenia… [9][10] [11] On the other hand, regarding to the psychomotor training and, hence the reflex training, which is the filed of study of this research, there are already some videogames [12][13] and a kinect based one [14].…”

Применение Компьютерных Игровых Технологий Для Развития Регуляторных Функций Дошкольников

“…В связи с этим многие ученые стремятся исполь-зовать основные игровые принципы для создания развивающих видеоигр и приложений, направленных на улучшение когнитивных навыков [15,20,21,22]. Рассмотрим подробнее, какие задачи пытаются решить исследователи с помощью создания развивающих игровых приложений.…”

“…исследование В. Монтани и коллег [21]). Это крайне важно, поскольку помогает снизить тревожность, которая часто не-гативно сказывается на мотивации и концентрации при выполнении заданий.…”

“…Так, например, В. Монтани с коллегами [21] провели исследование по разработке эффективной развивающей игры, направленной на коррекцию различных нарушений работы РФ. Они выделили несколько принципов, со-ответствующих экологическому подходу, на которых должна базироваться развивающая видеоигра.…”

Video Games as Tools to Achieve Insight into Cognitive Processes

“…Montani et al (2014) present the design and validation process used to develop a game to exercise attention and executive functioning in individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). They demonstrate that their game does tap aspects of executive control, and future intervention studies with TBI patients as participants will determine whether game improvements transfer to other measures of executive control, and more importantly, meaningful measures of everyday performance.…”