Training While Playing?: Enhancing Cognitive Control Through Digital Games

Abstract

The rapidly increasing number of commercially game-based brain trainings offers great possibilities for applied interventions, but often warrant evidence for improved functioning. In contrast, established scientific training tasks often lack motivational layout and hence challenge training willingness. As a first step, we present three games for tablet PCs targeting different processes of cognitive control. All of these apps involve motivational elements to increase training willingness. In future work, having different versions of gamed-based cognitive control training will facilitate whether cognitive training in one function generalizes to training benefits in another, and which specific feature of the game-layout supports intrinsic training motivation.