Age-Associated Capacity to Progress When Playing Cognitive Mobile Games: Ecological Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background:The decline of cognitive function is an important issue related to aging. Over the last few years, numerous mobile apps have been developed to challenge the brain with cognitive exercises; however, little is currently known about how age influences capacity for performance improvement when playing cognitive mobile games. Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the score data of cognitive mobile games over a period of 100 gaming sessions to determine age-related learning ability for new cognitive tasks by measuring the level of score improvement achieved by participants of different ages.Methods: Scores from 9000 individuals of different ages for 7 cognitive mobile games over 100 gaming sessions were analyzed. Scores from the first session were compared between age groups using one-way analysis of variance. Mixed models were subsequently used to investigate the progression of scores over 100 sessions.Results: Statistically significant differences were found between age groups for the initial scores of 6 of the 7 games (linear trend, P<.001). Cognitive mobile game scores increased for all participants (P<.001) suggesting that all participants were able to improve their performance. The rate of improvement was, however, strongly influenced by the age of the participant with slower progression for older participants (P<.001). Conclusions:This study provides evidence to support two interesting insights-cognitive mobile game scores appear to be sensitive to the changes in cognitive ability that occur with advancing age; therefore, these games could be a convenient way to monitor cognitive function over long-term follow-up, and users who train with the cognitive mobile games improve regardless of age.

Brain training using cognitive apps can improve cognitive performance and processing speed in older adults

“…One salient aspect of the games is that they could be combined with automated evaluation and assessment of cognitive function 16 , 59 . Therefore, we strongly suggest that the evaluation of cognitive function for long-term follow-up should not be restricted to cross-sectional measurement (typically done only once per year) but should also include longitudinal measurement to evaluate subjects’ learning abilities or cognitive abilities in general if there is no training in between the assessments 15 . In this context, the presented method could be an interesting complementary tool due to its potential to become widely available thanks to the growing use of mobile technology.…”

“…Therefore, the main objective of our study is to add to the current knowledge by evaluating the efficacy of 100 sessions of CMG used in real-life (independently and without specific guidelines on training frequency) in older adults and how the effect may vary as a function of age. Based on the results of one previous study 15 , we hypothesized that the rate of improvement in CMG performance would be slower in the oldest subjects. Since training frequency was not imposed, the time to perform the 100 sessions may vary between subjects and type of CMG.…”

Can Mobile Technology Help Prevent the Burden of Dementia in Low- and Mid-Income Countries?

“…A salient aspect of game app training is that it can be combined with cognitive assessment to provide screening and follow-up of the cognitive function on a regular basis. This can be done at a lower cost and without the need of a healthcare professional because the results of the games are correlated with clinical scales (31) and the age of the participants (32).…”

A Heuristic Method for Evaluating Accessibility in Web-Based Serious Games for Users with Low Vision

“…Second, we analyze whether the barrier affects productivity, satisfaction, effectiveness, or safety. In that case, the impact was minimal; when analyzing these parameters, the impact's value is two (2). Thirdly, we evaluate the number of times the barrier corresponding to the persistence parameter presented by the barrier "Accessible keyboard" is presented.…”

“…Additionally, students' participation and motivation in the classroom are of great importance in the learning process, so the concept of gamification [1] has taken on great importance. Gamification allows (1) stimulation and support of creativity; (2) player motivation through modifications and new levels of play; (3) use as a teaching aid; (4) inclusion as a trendy means of recreation; and (5) mind training [2].…”