Memory assessment using serious games in patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment
Problematic:
Cognitive decline is a prevalent concern in aging populations, impacting health and quality of life. As society ages, addressing this issue becomes increasingly vital for healthcare systems. Memory impairment, especially among the older adults, necessitates efficient assessment tools. However, conventional methods can be time-consuming and inaccessible. Serious games show promise in enhancing evaluation through increased engagement and accessibility, yet their validity requires further scrutiny.
Method:
In this multicenter international study, we aimed to assess the convergent validity of the gamified ACE-X visuo-spatial memory task (Gem Chaser, forward and backward) compared to the Corsi test (forward and backward). Additionally, we explored the relationship between Gem Chaser performance and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total score. Participants with cognitive complaints aged 55 and above were recruited from three centers (Lausanne, Bern, Nice). We examined convergent validity between the Gem Chaser and the Corsi spans, and their associations with MoCA scores using Spearman’s correlation. To mitigate potential center-related biases, participant means were centered around respective center means.
Results:
Results demonstrated significant correlations between Gem Chaser (forward and backward) and Corsi test (forward and backward) (p=0.00071; p=0.00088, respectively). Moreover, Gem Chaser backward significantly correlated with MoCA total score (p=0.0043).
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that the gamified Corsi test (Gem Chaser) holds promise for visuo-spatial and working memory evaluation in MCI patients pending the establishment of normative data. Thus, future research should prioritize establishing such normative data to enable wider utilization of this tool in clinical settings.