How Video Game Therapy Affects Thinking and Emotions in Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment

NCT07615647 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 100220261372026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Golden Gamers Go is running a study together with Rey Juan Carlos University to better understand how videogames can help older adults, especially those with memory problems or cognitive decline. The study takes place in real care settings, such as day centers, and involves around 45 older participants. Over two months (with a possible follow-up period), participants take part in two to three sessions per week using video games on PlayStation. These are not special "health games," but popular, commercial video games that have been carefully selected and adapted to be easy to use, enjoyable, and meaningful for older adults. The goal is to see whether playing these games can help improve thinking abilities and also how participants feel during the activity - for example, if they are more engaged, motivated, or emotionally positive. This study builds on previous experience where this approach has already shown promising results in increasing participation, motivation, and overall wellbeing. By carrying out this research, Golden Gamers Go aim to better understand how meaningful and enjoyable activities like videogames can support healthier and more active aging.

Conditions

Older Adults (65 Years and Older); Cognitive Impairment, Mild

Keywords

Alzheimer; Senior; Videogames; Therapy

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

  Measures overall cognitive function (memory, attention, language, orientation, etc.). The total score ranges from 0 to 30 points. Higher scores indicate better cognitive performance. The standard administration guidance states that 26/30 or above is generally considered within the normal range, although cut-off points may vary depending on population, education level, age and clinical context.

  General perception of the person's cognitive sphere (not session-specific), used at week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-intervention).

• Observed Emotion Rating Scale (OERS)

  Measures emotional state during the sessions (positive and negative emotions observed).The OERS measures the intensity or duration of these affective states using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Each emotional state is rated separately, usually from 1 to 5. A higher score in pleasure is positive. A higher score in general alertness is usually positive or activation-related. Higher scores in anger, anxiety/fear or sadness indicate more negative affect.

  Pre-intervention and post-intervention (up to 1 week)

• Menorah Park Engagement Scale (MPES)

  The adapted MPES assesses participant engagement during the activity using a 5-point duration scale aligned with the OERS. Observation takes place during the central 10 minutes of the session, from minute 15 to minute 25, to avoid start-up or fatigue bias. Each engagement category is scored according to the total accumulated time observed: 1 means the behaviour was never observed; 2 indicates a very brief occurrence; 3 indicates a short occurrence; 4 means the behaviour was observed for 1 to 5 minutes; and 5 means it was observed for more than 5 minutes. The categories assessed are constructive engagement, passive engagement, social engagement, non-engagement and self-engagement. If two behaviours occur at the same time, constructive engagement is prioritised.

  Pre-intervention and post-intervention (up to 1 week)

• Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease (QoL-AD, proxy version)

  The QoL-AD proxy version assesses perceived quality of life in people with cognitive impairment through the judgement of a caregiver, professional or informant who knows the participant well. It includes 13 items, each scored on a 4-point scale: 1 means poor, 2 means fair, 3 means good and 4 means excellent. The total score is obtained by adding the 13 item scores, giving a possible range from 13 to 52 points. Higher scores indicate better perceived quality of life.

  General perception of the person's recent overall wellbeing (not session-specific), used at week 0 (baseline) and week 8 (post-intervention).

Study Arms (2)

Experimental group

EXPERIMENTAL

The experimental group will receive intervention through conventional videogames

Procedure: Therapy with videogames

Control group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Control group will receive a special talk about the uses of conventional videogames

Procedure: Videogames masterclass

Interventions

Videogames masterclass PROCEDURE

This masterclass sessions are carried out in small groups. It talks about the use of certain videogames and VR devices for improving the health of the participants. Each session begins with a simple introduction, and end with a short group reflection, and professionals record participation and responses to guide future sessions. The vidoegames that will be described and shown for the users experience are some that have a high degree of accesibility from the Golden Gamers Methodology perspective.

Also known as: Golden Gamers Methodology

Control group

Therapy with videogames PROCEDURE

Therapy sessions are carried out in small groups using adapted comercial videogames. Each session begins with a simple introduction, followed by gameplay with continuous support. Participants can engage in different ways (playing, assisting, or observing), depending on their needs. Sessions end with a short group reflection, and professionals record participation and responses to guide future sessions. There a lot of unique aspects for this approach. First, the use of comercial videogames for therapy, instead of serious games. Therefore, the whole process is guided by the Golden Gamers Methodology, specialiced in cognitive accesibility. The combination of this kind of videogames, with this adaptations in a senior population with cognitive impairment is totally different from other studies.

Experimental group

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Older adults with mild to moderate cognitive impairment, able to connect with their environment and participate in group or individual activities, and who agree to take part in the study.

You may not qualify if:

• Severe cognitive impairment with lack of environmental awareness, serious visual limitations that prevent interaction, or any condition causing distress or making participation unsafe.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Golden Gamers Go SL: lead

Study Sites (1)

Neurovida

Madrid, Madrid, 28030, Spain

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction

Interventions

Therapeutics

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Cristina García Bravo, PhD

  Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

ALEJANDRO MORILLAS TÉLLEZ, Master

CONTACT

+34635268124; goldengamersmanagers@gmail.com

Gloria Sánchez-Carnerero Casas

CONTACT

gsccto@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 27, 2026
• First Posted: May 29, 2026
• Study Start: April 13, 2026
• Primary Completion: June 15, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 6, 2026
• Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations

ES (1)