An Open Platform of Serious Games for Cognitive Intervention

NCT06366867 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Pro00097579
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 26
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Computer games are increasingly utilized as tools for studying cognitive skills, aging, individual differences, and development. They offer a unique advantage by presenting challenges that more closely mirror the complexities and demands of everyday tasks compared to traditional laboratory experiments, clinical tests, and standardized assessments. Our team took an innovative step in this direction by developing a suite of tablet-based games, titled VibrantMinds. These games, varying in type, are designed to measure diverse cognitive indicators, acting as proxies for assessments typically conducted using paper-and-pencil tests in clinical settings. VibrantMinds games have been specifically crafted to be user-friendly and engaging for older adults, including those with dementia. Our studies have shown that these individuals not only find the games accessible but also exhibit measurable improvement in gameplay, suggesting potential benefits for cognitive skill training. Building on this foundation, we are now poised to conduct an in-depth investigation into the actual effectiveness of serious computer games (SCGs) for cognitive enhancement and their application in real-world settings for older adults. This next phase of research will leverage the VibrantMinds platform to carry out studies aimed at validating software-defined indicators of cognitive function and measuring the impact of game-based interventions on cognitive abilities, health-related quality of life, and other significant real-life outcomes. The anticipated results promise to expand our understanding of the potential for new technologies in cognitive assessment and intervention. Moreover, by employing machine learning analysis of the data collected through VibrantMinds, we aim to develop a taxonomy that correlates game complexity and player performance with conventional clinical instruments for assessing cognitive status and functioning.

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment; Dementia; Alzheimer Disease; Aging

Keywords

Serious computer game; computer games; VibrantMinds

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Cognition - Global

  Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - Cognitive Subscale (ADASCog). Items are generally scored from 1-5; Final scores range 0-70, with higher scores indicating greater severity.

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-Test (Week 12), Follow-up (Week 16)

Secondary Outcomes (5)

• Depression

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-Test (Week 12), Follow-up (Week 16)

• Agitation

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-Test (Week 12), Follow-up (Week 16)

• Occupational Performance

  Baseline (Week 0), Post-Test (Week 12), Follow-up (Week 16)

• Engagement

  At each session from weeks 0-12; average 2x per week.

• Affect

  At each session from weeks 0-12; average 2x per week.

Study Arms (2)

VibrantMinds + Standard Care

EXPERIMENTAL

Older adults at long-term care facilities receive the VibrantMinds games in addition to routine standard care administered by the facility and staff.

Device: VibrantMinds

Standard Care

NO INTERVENTION

Older adults at long-term care facilities receive routine standard care administered by the facility and staff.

Interventions

VibrantMinds DEVICE

VibrantMindVibrantMinds offers five tablet games targeting cognitive stimulation in older adults: Whack-A-Mole, Word Search, Bejeweled, Mahjong Solitaire, Memory Game, and Glenrose Grocery Game (GGG). These games vary from nostalgic (e.g., Mahjong Solitaire) to leisure-oriented (e.g., Bejeweled), aiming to blend fun with cognitive exercises. Especially designed for ease of use, they cater to older individuals, including those with dementia, gradually increasing in difficulty to match player skill levels. The GGG stands out by integrating game design with everyday cognitive tasks, offering a practical simulation of grocery shopping. Developed with older adult input, VibrantMinds aims to enhance cognitive health in seniors through engaging, meaningful gameplay, supporting its clinical trial's focus on cognitive wellness in the aging.

VibrantMinds + Standard Care

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Older adults aged 65 years and older.
• Cognitive impairment within a specific range as measured by the Mini-Mental State -Examination (MMSE scores between 7 and 25).
• Ability to interact with the Serious Cognitive Games (SCGs) platform, indicating a necessary level of awareness.
• Functional vision and hearing, with or without aids (glasses/hearing aids), to engage with the SCGs platform.
• Functional upper extremity function to interact with the SCGs.

You may not qualify if:

• Presence of influenza, COVID-19, or another virus that could affect performance or pose a risk to others.
• Inability to communicate or comprehend instructions in English
• Moderate to severe limitations in upper extremity control or movement, significant visual or hearing impairments, or attention deficits that could impact the ability to successfully engage with the SCGs. Participants or their care partners who feel these conditions would interfere with study participation are excluded.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alberta: lead
• Alberta Health services: collaborator
• CapitalCare: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

CapitalCare Group Inc Facilities

Edmonton, T5J 3M9, Canada

Location

Related Links

• VibrantMinds Platform

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Alzheimer Disease

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Tauopathies; Neurodegenerative Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Random allocation, 1:1 ratio by a computer-based randomizer
• Purpose: DEVICE FEASIBILITY
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: The experimental group will receive VibrantMinds, which consists of sessions with serious computer games in addition to the standard care, whilst the control group will receive the standard of care used at the healthcare facilities.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: April 4, 2024
• First Posted: April 16, 2024
• Study Start: August 3, 2022
• Primary Completion: February 1, 2026
• Study Completion: February 1, 2026
• Last Updated: May 12, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)