The Cognitive Mobile Games for Older Adults - A Chinese User Experience Study

Abstract

Cognitive self-rehabilitation lacks updated means and tools. This paper provides a synopsis of novel cognitive recreation game tools, an analysis of their user feedback, as well as potential new ideas for game developers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the attitudes and user experiences of Chinese elderly people on mobile memory rehabilitation games originally developed in Finland, Europe. Mobile games that require cognitive skills were tested with a test group in a Chinese elderly care home. User feedback was collected by interviews and observations in the game event. The most noteworthy finding was the positive user experience both of the elderly and the nursing staff and the experience of the games being cognitively stimulating. Games also seemed to provide potential for self-rehabilitation and to support social interaction. Also some special characteristics related to the Chinese culture were found in the game trial, although the experiences were surprisingly similar compared to original Finnish trials despite the cultural differences of Finland and China. The results are an encouragement for conducting further testing (on a larger test group, over a longer time) and continuing with the game development for cognitively impaired older adults. These results also encourage further development and testing of welfare technology applications in different cultural environments.