Video game training to improve selective visual attention in older adults

Belchior, Patrícia; Marsiske, Michael; Sisco, Shannon; Yam, Anna; Bavelier, Daphné; Ball, Karlene; Mann, William C. · 2013 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1016/j.chb.2013.01.034

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Summary

This study investigated whether off-the-shelf video games could improve selective visual attention in older adults, specifically measuring performance on the Useful Field of View (UFOV) test. The research was motivated by prior findings that action video games enhance visual attention in younger adults and the practical need for accessible, home-based cognitive interventions for aging populations. UFOV performance is clinically significant, as it correlates with driving safety and everyday task efficiency, yet it typically declines with age. The authors sought to determine if playing *Medal of Honor* (a first-person shooter) or *Tetris* (an arcade puzzle game) could yield improvements comparable to a clinically validated UFOV training program. Fifty-eight older adults (mean age 74.5 years) were randomized into four groups: *Medal of Honor* training, *Tetris* training, standard UFOV training, or a no-contact control group. Participants completed six 90-minute training sessions over two to three weeks. The *Medal of Honor* group received guided instruction to manage game difficulty, while the *Tetris* group played in arcade mode. The UFOV group underwent adaptive computer-based training targeting speed of processing and peripheral detection. Performance was assessed using three UFOV subtasks: Speed, Divided Attention, and Selective Attention, with lower scores indicating faster, better performance. The results indicated that all three intervention groups improved significantly more than the no-contact control group. However, the clinically validated UFOV training produced significantly greater improvements than either video game condition. There was no significant difference in outcomes between the *Medal of Honor* and *Tetris* groups, contrasting with previous studies in younger adults where action games outperformed non-action controls. Specifically, for the Selective Attention task, both video game groups showed significant gains compared to controls, but the UFOV-trained group demonstrated superior improvement. The study found no significant main effect for group differences overall, though a significant three-way interaction existed between test time, task type, and group. The authors conclude that while video game training can improve selective visual attention in older adults relative to no training, it is less effective than targeted, adaptive UFOV training. The lack of difference between *Medal of Honor* and *Tetris* suggests that less challenging games may still be effective for this demographic, or that the training dosage was insufficient to reveal the specific benefits of action games. The study highlights the potential for video games as feasible, low-cost interventions but notes limitations regarding small sample size, lack of racial diversity, and minimal training duration. Future research should explore higher training dosages and more diverse populations to determine optimal intervention strategies for maintaining cognitive function in older adults.

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• useful field of view