The X-TORP video game suitable for patients with Alzheimer’s light would be effective in improving their physical, cognitive and motor performance, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. It would also develop positive feelings and friendliness.
The Alzheimer Innovation Association, the CoBTeK laboratory (Cognition – Behavior – Technology) of the University of Nice, Sophia-Antipolis in France and the company Genious, have set up a serious game, called X-TORP intended for people with Alzheimer’s disease and healthcare professionals. This video game promotes cognitive simulation and physical activity in a positive emotional context for patients affected at a mild stage by this neurodegenerative disease.
The principle of the game
This adventure game comes straight from the world of comics. The patient is at the controls of a boat and navigates across seas and oceans, he can move thanks to manual and voice commands. His goal, complete missions to become the richest smuggler.
The results of the first clinical trial are conclusive. Researchers at the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis approved this game on 18 patients (including 10 with Alzheimer’s disease). Participants followed 13 training sessions over 5 weeks for a total of 10 hours of play. During the study, performance, physical activity, emotions and perceived friendliness were assessed. All the participants managed to finish the program and declared to have felt conviviality and positive emotions. Scientists have also found that it improves motor skills, attention and concentration in patients. To confirm these results, the game is tested by 3 target populations at the University Hospital of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
“This population consists of the sedentary elderly subject, the MCI patient (a mild cognitive impairment) and the patient Alzheimer’s at the mild stage and totals 80 patients, ”explain the creators of the game in a statement.
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