Predicting Engagement While Playing Computer Games in Older Adults With and Without Dementia

Antonio Miguel Cruz, Daniel Alejandro Quiroga Torres, Adriana Maria Rios Rincon, Christine Daum, Ruby De Jesus, Lili Liu, Eleni Stroulia

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine what factors predict the level of engagement of older adults, with and without dementia, while playing computer games. Fourteen older adults with and without dementia (60%/40%) played a computer game over 16 sessions, each for 30 minutes. Variables included participants’ demographics, game-play data and environmental factors. Mixed fixed model for longitudinal data analysis design was used to determine how these variables predicted engagement. Five variables predicted engagement at a statistically significant level: Participant’s performance (B1=+0.16, p<0.03), age (B2=+0.20, p<0.00), previous experience with computer games (B3=+1.021, p<0.02), positive emotions (B4=+0.16, p<0.00), and distractions (noise) during gameplay (B5=-1.07, p<0.05). Cognitive impairment and general health status were correlated with engagement, but these correlations were not statistically significant. Previous experience using computer games and distractions during gameplay were the most important predictors of engagement while older adults with and without dementia played computer games.
Original languageEnglish
Pages862
Number of pages862
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 16 2020
EventThe Gerontological Society of America 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting -
Duration: Nov 4 2020Nov 7 2020
Conference number: 2020

Conference

ConferenceThe Gerontological Society of America 2020 Annual Scientific Meeting
Abbreviated titleGSA
Period11/4/2011/7/20

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