Feasibility of the Glenrose Grocery Game for Cognitive and Functional Outcomes in Older Inpatients

NCT07584408 | Terminated

• 1 other identifier: Pro00087258
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 15
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Older adults could benefit from computer serious games as a strategy for improving not only their cognitive functions but also their functioning and performance in daily activities, which are often compromised with age. A computer serious game is one designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. Few computer games had been developed to emulate instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), such as money management (e.g., shopping or paying bills). To fill this gap, occupational therapists at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (GRH) developed the Glenrose Grocery Game (GGG). At the time, the game had not yet been tested. Thus, the purpose of this feasibility study was to explore whether playing the GGG as part of the rehabilitation program at the GRH had an effect on specific mental functions (memory and attention), occupational performance in money management tasks, and satisfaction with occupational performance in older adults. In this study, we compared the outcomes of 7 participants who played the GGG (intervention group) with those of 8 different participants who received the GRH standard of care (control group). Data analysis is being conducted. The results of the study: Provided clinicians with evidence for implementing the GGG in interventions, which in turn may benefit inpatient clients at the GRH; Informed stakeholders' decisions about clients' safe discharge and transition to home and community; and Supported researchers in designing a larger and more robust study.

Conditions

Serious Games; Compensation Strategies

Keywords

serious games; compensatory strategies; mild cognitive impairment; in-patient; older adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)

  The MOCA is a widely used screening tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment. It assesses several cognitive domains, including memory, attention, language, visuospatial skills, and executive function. A score of 26 or above is considered normal.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Trail Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B

  The TMT assesses visual attention, processing speed, mental flexibility, and executive function. Part A involves connecting numbered circles in sequence, while Part B alternates between numbers and letters (e.g., 1-A-2-B), requiring set-shifting ability.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Walking and Remembering Test (WART)

  The WART is a dual-task assessment that evaluates divided attention and working memory. Participants walk a defined path while recalling and repeating a sequence of numbers, simulating real-world multitasking challenges.

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Engagement scale

  After each session with the game from enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Objective Measure - PASS Task H8 (Money Management: Shopping)

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

• Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)

  From enrollment to the end of treatment at 4 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Standard of care for cognitive impairment

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Compensatory strategy consists in recommendations made by Occupational Therapists to the client and caregivers for his/her safety while performing instrumental activities of daily living.

Other: Standard cognitive rehabilitation

Experimental: Glenrose Grocery Game sessions

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants played the GGG, completing meal planning and grocery shopping tasks in a gamified format. Sessions (8 × 30 minutes over 4 weeks) were delivered by trained RAs using tablets or computers.

Other: Experimental: Glenrose Grocery Game sessions

Interventions

Experimental: Glenrose Grocery Game sessions OTHER

Participants played the the Glenrose Grocery Game (a serious game), completing meal planning and grocery shopping tasks in a gamified format. Sessions (8 × 30 minutes over 4 weeks) were delivered by trained RAs using tablets or computers.

Experimental: Glenrose Grocery Game sessions

Standard cognitive rehabilitation OTHER

Compensatory strategies

Standard of care for cognitive impairment

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 50 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Older adults aged 50 years and older
• With and without some level of cognitive impairment (Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA) ≥19) (Nasreddine, Phillips, \& Chertkow, 2011).
• Have a level of awareness to be able to interact with the game platform.
• Have functional vision and hearing with or without aides (glasses/hearing aides) to be able to interact with the game platform.
• Have functional upper extremity function to be able to interact with the game.
• Maximum mobility limitation of 1 person assist with mobility aid

You may not qualify if:

• Older adults who have Infuenza or another virus virus that affect their performance
• Unable to count, speak (name objects and say numbers) or comprehend simple instructions in English

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alberta: lead
• Glenrose Foundation: collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital

Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G4, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Outcome assessors did not know the participants' allocation to the experimental or control group.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 6, 2025
• First Posted: May 13, 2026
• Study Start: June 6, 2019
• Primary Completion: March 12, 2020
• Study Completion: March 12, 2020
• Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CA (1)