The Kinect Project: Group motion-based gaming for people living with dementia

Abstract

Engaging in enjoyable activities is an essential part of well-being, but people with dementia can find participation increasingly difficult. Motion-based technologies can provide meaningful engagement in a wide range of activities, but for people with dementia to take advantage of these devices requires a good understanding of how best to select and present these activities to this population. The objective of this study was to explore the use of motion-based technology (Xbox Kinect) as a group activity for people with dementia who attend adult day programmes. This qualitative study took place in an adult day programme for older adults with age-related challenges. Participants (n = 23) were observed while playing a digital bowling game presented on Xbox Kinect one hour per week for a period of 20 weeks, to capture naturalistic data. Field notes generated through observations were transcribed and analysed to identify emerging themes. The findings revealed three predominant themes which illustrate the potential of motion-based technology as a group activity for people with dementia who attend adult day programmes: (a) the importance of having a trained trainer, (b) learning versus mastery and (c) playing 'independently together'. People with dementia can learn to play games presented on motion-based technology and enjoy doing so. Furthermore, using the technology in a group setting fostered an encouraging and supportive environment which further contributed to the leisure experience. However, to be used most effectively, staff must be trained to set-up and interact with the technology, as well as introduce, teach and support people with dementia to use it.

Kinect Project: People with dementia or mild cognitive impairment learning to play group motion‐based games

“…This study used the Xbox One Kinect [19] given that interaction with this system relies purely on intuitive and naturalistic movements (e.g., waving an arm), resulting in fewer usability issues [12]. The Xbox One Kinect was chosen over the previous "Xbox 360 Kinect" as the latter cannot accommodate seated play or people using mobility devices [17]. The Kinect Sports Rivals bowling game was chosen because of the familiarity of the game and the simplicity of the movements required to play.…”

“…The facilitator was a 25-year-old female with 17 years of education and 3 years of experience conducting research with PCI. The facilitator was trained to lead the Xbox Kinect sessions by observing trained day program staff coach PCI and other age-related challenges to play games on Xbox 360 Kinect [17]. The facilitator then ran a 20-session "practice" group at a separate day program, to rehearse the prompting techniques identified during the observational phase of the study.…”

“…Dove and Astell [17] observed a group of PCI at a day program playing games on an Xbox 360 Kinect where care staff applied errorless learning techniques. The staff possessed both a general understanding of cognitive impairment (CI) and a specific understanding of each person in the group, which enabled them to adapt their teaching techniques to each person's unique needs.…”

“…The staff possessed both a general understanding of cognitive impairment (CI) and a specific understanding of each person in the group, which enabled them to adapt their teaching techniques to each person's unique needs. However, the clients were using the MBT at the day program before the start of the observational study [17]; thus, further research is required to examine the use of errorless learning approaches for PCI to use MBT.…”

Technology and Dementia: The Future is Now

“…From a leisure and pleasure perspective, mainstream mobile applications can be accessible for people with dementia [65] and motion-based gaming systems (e.g., Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect) can provide enjoyable group activities [66]. VR for dementia has also attracted recent attention [67], not just as a leisure activity, but also an assessment tool [68] and for delivering cognitive training [69].…”