A Game-based Screening for MCI Detection in Older Adults
Key facts
- Who runs it
- University of Alberta
- Where
- Canada1 site in 1 countryChoose a country to see its sites
- Trial code
- Status
- Completed
- People taking part
- 59 people enrolled
- Started
- 15 May 2025
- Ended
- 15 May 2025
- Type of study
- Observational
- Record updated
- 22 August 2025
Who can take part
- Age
- 65 years and older
- Sex
- Women and men
- Healthy volunteers
- Can take part
The registry criteria, word for word
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Who can take part
- Older adults who are aged 65 and above with typical cognition or MCI as reported by themselves, or a health care professional
- Older adults participating in this study must have MoCA score of 18 or higher
- Older adults participating in the study must have functional vision and hearing, with or without aids such as glasses or hearing aids that enable them to interact with the game and comprehend the instructions. As part of the study recruitment activities, the researcher will explain the tasks required and discuss the vision and hearing demands
- Older adults participating in the study must be capable of communicating and comprehending assessments, instructions, and simple sentences in English, as communication and comprehension is essential for interacting effectively with game components and the researcher. To assess their communication, reading, and comprehension skills, the researcher will provide participants with a few sentences in English related to the game content. Participants will be asked to read these sentences aloud and explain the meaning of the sentence to confirm their ability to read and understand the content
- Older adults participating in the study must have adequate upper extremity function to play the game, using a mouse and do paper-and-pencil based measurements, using a pencil. During the study's introduction and training part of the game, potential participants can report any physical limitations. The researcher will also screen for these
Who cannot take part
- Older adults currently suffering from Influenza, COVID-19, or any other viral illness at the time of data collection that could impair their performance will be excluded. These conditions could impair their performance, potentially affecting the reliability of the outcomes. Additionally, the presence of such illnesses could pose a health risk to other participants who use the same equipment, as well as to the researcher
This trial has no sites in United States.
It has sites in one country. Choose a country to see its sites.
About the trial
What the trial wants to find out
This research explores a new and engaging way to screen for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults using a computer game instead of traditional paper-based tests. MCI is an early sign of cognitive decline and can lead to dementia. Detecting it early is important, but current methods are not always accessible, enjoyable, or reflective of real-life tasks.
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The study will test the Glenrose Grocery Game (G3), a computer game simulating a real-life shopping trip. The game challenges memory, attention, and problem-solving in a familiar, interactive setting. Originally developed for cognitive training in older adults, this is the first time it is being tested as a screening tool for cognitive issues.
Fifty-nine older adults (aged 65+) will be recruited, with and without signs of MCI. Each participant will attend a single 90-minute session. They will provide consent, complete demographic questions, and undergo two standard cognitive tests: the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment screen (Qmci). Anxiety will be measured before and after the cognitive tasks. Participants will then play six levels of the G3 game and complete a usability questionnaire.
The study will measure game performance (e.g., time taken, errors, and budget management), cognitive test scores, anxiety levels before and after gameplay, and usability ratings.
The G3 game could provide a less stressful, more realistic, and more accessible method to screen for memory problems, potentially enabling earlier detection. It may be especially helpful for people with limited access to trained clinicians or those who feel anxious during traditional tests. Risks are minimal, similar to daily activities, such as feeling tired or briefly anxious. Participants may stop at any time. All data will be kept private and secure, with names replaced by ID numbers.
Data and sources
- Registry record
- Listed on ClinicalTrials.gov.
- Official title
- A Game-based Screening for Mild Cognitive Impairment Detection in Older Adults
- Record updated
- 22 August 2025