A Study on the Validity of a Computer-Based Game to Assess Cognitive Processes, Reward Mechanisms, and Time Perception in Children Aged 4-8 Years

A computer-based game, named Timo's Adventure, was developed to assess specific cognitive functions (eg, attention, planning, and working memory), time perception, and reward mechanisms in young school-aged children. The game consists of 6 mini-games embedded in a story line and includes fantas...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:JMIR serious games 2016-09, Vol.4 (2), p.e15-e15
Main Authors: Peijnenborgh, Janneke Caw, Hurks, Petra Pm, Aldenkamp, Albert P, van der Spek, Erik D, Rauterberg, Gwm, Vles, Johan Sh, Hendriksen, Jos Gm
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Age
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Behavior
Children & youth
Cognition & reasoning
Cognitive ability
Executive function
Games
Hyperactivity
Learning disabilities
Memory
Motivation
Original Paper
Validity
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Summary:A computer-based game, named Timo's Adventure, was developed to assess specific cognitive functions (eg, attention, planning, and working memory), time perception, and reward mechanisms in young school-aged children. The game consists of 6 mini-games embedded in a story line and includes fantasy elements to enhance motivation. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of Timo's Adventure in normally developing children and in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A total of 96 normally developing children aged 4-8 years and 40 children with ADHD were assessed using the game. Clinical validity was investigated by examining the effects of age on performances within the normally developing children, as well as performance differences between the healthy controls and the ADHD group. Our analyses in the normally developing children showed developmental effects; that is, older children made fewer inhibition mistakes (r=-.33, P=.001), had faster (and therefore better) reaction times (r=-.49, P
ISSN:2291-9279
2291-9279
DOI:10.2196/games.5997