Computer games as therapy? Scientists investigate how they can support people with dementia.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a method for objectively measuring the engagement of people playing video games using EEG data. Research indicates that appropriately designed games can support cognitive function in people with dementia and delay disease progression. The results were published in the journal Sensors.
The aging population is leading to a growing number of people struggling with dementia. Projections show that by 2030, nearly one million people in Canada alone will be affected by this condition.
“We need alternative methods to treat, prevent and improve the quality of life of people with dementia,” says Adriana Ríos Rincón , assistant professor at the Faculty of Rehabilitation at the University of Alberta.
Computer games can be one such method. However, to be effective, they require sustained player engagement, which is particularly challenging for individuals with cognitive impairments.
Until now, researchers have measured engagement using questionnaires. However, people with dementia often struggle to understand or complete them. Therefore, Ríos Rincón's team opted for objective measurement using electroencephalography (EEG).
Participants in the study—young and older adults—played a simple flight game developed at Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital. During the game, they wore EEG headsets that monitored brain activity in real time. Three types of brain waves were analyzed: theta, alpha, and beta.
– “When someone is really focused, beta wave activity increases and theta and alpha decrease,” explains the researcher.
The results showed that the highest levels of engagement occurred when the player's skill level was well matched to the game's difficulty. A game that was too easy led to boredom, while a game that was too difficult led to frustration and abandonment.
The team also created a machine learning model that classifies engagement levels as low or high. The most accurate results were obtained when all three types of brainwaves were included.
– “We have proven that it is possible to obtain objective data on people’s level of engagement, even if they are not able to talk about it,” emphasizes Ríos Rincón.
The researchers are planning further studies with older adults with dementia. The goal is to create adaptive games that automatically adjust the difficulty level to maintain optimal engagement, consistent with flow theory.
Researchers also want to check whether the improvement in attention and memory thanks to games translates into patients' everyday lives – their independence, self-confidence and efficiency in performing basic activities.
– "If your memory and concentration improve in the game, does it also improve your everyday functioning? We want to test this in future projects," announces Ríos Rincón.
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