As always the answer to this question is not simple. From recent research it’s concluded that brain training games on paper are more effective and efficient than on computer consoles (Nintendo DS, in this research). Meaning that the task completion time was shorter on paper and the error rate was lower on paper.
However the advantages of using the console Brain Training is that games are more arousing and induces “a heightened sense of flow”. Flow being loss of self-consciousness, blurred feeling of time, and feeling of enjoyment and control during gaming. Moreover, these effects were for gamers of all ages.
The only difference between younger (18-25 years) and old gamers (> 64 years) was that logic problem-solving is associated with positive feelings for the elderly but with negative feelings in the young.
So if you want to do your granny a favor, buy her a logic training game on her console.
More findings from this study:
- Elderly people take less time to solve on paper than on the console
- Elderly people in general take more time than younger people to complete the task
- Gender did not influence the time to complete tasks nor did it relate to the number of errors nor any other outcome measure.
- Neither age nor form (paper or console) did influence the pleasure when playing
- The feeling of control over a game for the elderly was regardless of form (paper or console) while the younger group felt less in control especially when playing the console. Feeling in control is not influenced by form but by age.
- Decreased technological sophistication evokes lower levels of arousal in flow regardless of age
- Arousal might be an important facilitator for flow for the younger age group, while for the older age group, pleasure, competence, and positive affect are all contributors to their flow experience
To my opinion this proofs that computer and console games makes it more pleasant, challenging and enjoyable to the elderly and each and every institution for the elderly should provide gaming opportunities (yes thinking ahead here), what do you think?
Why is this important?
It’s assumed that brain training games benefit elderly. It was never known whether you needed consoles or computers for this to achieve. Do games on paper worse than on console? The answer to this question was unknown. And does age have an influence on game play experience.
How was this study done?
This study employs a 2 by 2 mixed factorial design (age group: young and old by game form: paper and Nintendo DS) to investigate effects of age and game form on usability, self-assessment, and gameplay experience in a supervised field study. Effectiveness was evaluated in task completion time, efficiency as error rate, together with self-assessment measures (arousal, pleasure, dominance) and game experience (challenge, flow, competence, tension, positive and negative affect).
Nacke, L., Nacke, A., & Lindley, C. (2009). Brain Training for Silver Gamers: Effects of Age and Game Form on Effectiveness, Efficiency, Self-Assessment, and Gameplay Experience CyberPsychology & Behavior DOI: 10.1089/cpb.2009.0013
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“Effectiveness was evaluated in task completion time, efficiency as error rate”. To me it would make more sense the other way around. I guess that it makes no real difference.
I’m not to sure about the ‘training’effect of computergames on cognitive performance. As far as I know there is little known on the effect of braintraining (with for instance a DS) and there are no real positive effects known. Correct me if I’m wrong. Personally I’m a bit cautious with saying such and such will help for X.
I’d frame the sentence like this: So if you want to do your granny a favor, buy her a logic training game on her console ‘if she likes playing on a console’. Perhaps she is just as happy with a Sudokupuzzlebook. (and don’t expect her to lose her memory more slowly because of it)
That aside, knowing that seniors can have as much fun with a computer as on paper is good to know. I’ve met a few elderly who where quite well capable of using a computer (an 80 yo woman following online photoshopcourses for instance).
You’re right I am extremely biased (thinking ahead). This post is mainly for those that think elderly will have no fun from consoles, games or computers. Thanks for your comment, keeps me alert. Dr Shock
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Hello,
I read this blog. I think that the Brain Training more better on paper than the computer. on Paper more effective and efficient than the computer. Thanks you…