Narrative mobile video game-based cognitive training to enhance frontal function in patients with mild cognitive impairment
2025

Video Game Training for Cognitive Improvement in MCI Patients

Sample size: 17 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Choi Yeseul, Lim Jae-Sung, Choi Hagyun, Ryu Yong Hoe, Seong Eunkyung, Park Inseok, Kang Dong Won, Lee Jae-Hong

Primary Institution: Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea

Hypothesis

Can a narrative video game-based cognitive intervention improve frontal function and treatment adherence in patients with mild cognitive impairment?

Conclusion

The narrative video game-based cognitive intervention significantly improved frontal function in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment.

Supporting Evidence

  • MCI patients showed significant improvements in frontal function, particularly in Digit Symbol Coding and phonemic fluency.
  • High adherence rates and positive feedback indicated that the game intervention was engaging and enjoyable.
  • 90% of participants showed improvement in mean z-scores for frontal/executive function tests after training.

Takeaway

Playing a fun video game can help older people with memory problems think better and stay interested in their treatment.

Methodology

Participants engaged in a four-week mobile game intervention, completing neuropsychological tests and a depression scale before and after the intervention.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to the lack of a control group and reliance on self-reported data.

Limitations

The study had a small sample size and lacked a control group, which limits the generalizability of the results.

Participant Demographics

Participants were 17 elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment, average age 72.8 years, with a majority being female.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p=0.007 for Digit Symbol Coding, p=0.024 for phonemic fluency

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/s41598-024-84086-9

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