Publish at October 02 2016 Updated December 09 2021
On the recent International Alzheimer's Day, the observation was mixed. True, the rate of new cases is declining thanks to higher levels of education and better management of cardiovascular risks, but the fact remains that as life expectancy increases, the number of people with the disease will still rise considerably in the next decade. A terrifying statistic especially since this disease is incurable and leads to an individual's worst nightmare: losing their memories.
Thankfully, research is increasing on the disease and if it is not possible, for the time being, to stop it, it can be slowed down thanks to drugs, of course, but also by video games.
Video games to help Alzheimer's patients is a reality. For the past few years, specialists have been working on different video game solutions to relieve those suffering from it, for example, the universally accessible platform, MeMo. Designed for patients suffering from Alzheimer's, traumatic brain injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, the platform offers exercises and games related to memory and concentration. The games require the player to memorize a route from photos, answers given in a questionnaire, recognize previously seen images, etc.
People, including health specialists, can create accounts to track the progress of players in the various games. Obviously, these are used as a supplement to therapy. They cannot replace it. However, while these short games can help with the mental aspect, they do not address all facets of Alzheimer's.
While the disease is often associated with memory problems, there are also physiological effects. In some of the more advanced stages, patients can no longer anticipate their body's actions, and the most mundane acts become excessively painful. However, there are ways to prevent and slow down the deterioration. For a few years, physical therapists have been interested in video games in this sense. In fact, a game using Microsoft's Kinect camera has been getting more and more buzz in the last few months.
It's X-Torp, the first game whose beneficial effects have been acknowledged by scientists. This French creation offers a complete solution that takes place in a submarine context controlled by the player to apprehend smugglers and find treasure. Thus, motor and mental abilities are worked on, the effects of which would be beneficial for patients, showing a significant improvement in all spheres affected by the disease. The game is available free of charge for doctors and health specialists on the Curapy platform.
And then, another question comes: can the video game make people aware of the reality of patients? At least, lately, a few indie games have touched on this issue. These include Forget-Me-Knot, which shows the day-to-day dementia of someone in the advanced stages of the disease, and Ether One, in which the player must solve puzzles to restore memories to a 69-year-old woman.
As the adventure progresses, the puzzles become more complex and the elements become messy in order to show how the disease develops and makes it increasingly difficult. These games have reached gamers, but their audience remains relatively limited except perhaps for Firewatch which has a word-of-mouth following.
Could an even more popular and shocking game be created to scare gamers at the possibility of disease like that marketing that did shock people in 2009? Maybe, but again, it's hard to know whether a scare campaign has any real effect on public health. The few meta-analyses, most done on those with HIV/AIDS as their theme don't tend to show that. In fact, they would only reach those who have little knowledge of the disease. Now, with the media coverage of research and the disease itself, this type of proposal would be less effective.
Better than nothing, but better what?
Finally, could playing video games prevent the onset of the disease? On this, again, studies have not shown much. Some would say it helps keep brain activity active, especially in the case of puzzle and thinking games.
Or, no major analyses have managed to show the link between video gaming and dementia or Alzheimer's prevention. However, while gaming is not a cure, it can be an effective therapist or therapeutic aid. This is the case in Alzheimer's disease, but also in other areas of human health. A topic we will address very soon...
References
Espinasse, Clementine. "X-TORP, Clinically Validated Therapeutic Video Game." Sante-Digitale.fr. Last updated September 21, 2016. http://www.sante-digitale.fr/x-torp-le-premier-jeu-video-therapeutique-a-destination-des-patients-alzheimer-valide-cliniquement/.
Forsans, Emanuel. "Alzheimer's: Video Games Against Motor Disorders." Serious Game Lab. Last updated September 18, 2016. http://seriousgamelab.afjv.com/news/216_alzheimer-des-jeux-video-contre-les-troubles-moteurs.htm.
Knowles, Zac, and Laurel Challacombe. "Fear-Based Campaigns: Progress or Retreat?" CATIE - The Canadian Source for HIV and Hepatitis C Information. Last updated: Fall 2011. http://www.catie.ca/fr/pdm/automne-2011/les-campagnes-basees-peur-progres-ou-recul.
Labelle, Alain. "International Alzheimer's Day: Where Are We?" Radio-Canada.ca. Last updated September 21, 2016. http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/science/2016/09/21/001-journee-internationale-alzheimer-etat-situation-statistiques-recherche.shtml.
Loumé, Lise. "Alzheimer's Disease: A Video Game Clinically Tested." Sciences Et Avenir. Last updated September 20, 2016. http://www.sciencesetavenir.fr/sante/cerveau-et-psy/20160919.OBS8336/maladie-d-alzheimer-un-jeu-video-teste-cliniquement.html.
Memory Motivation. Accessed September 29, 2016. http://www.memory-motivation.org/home-2/.
Steighner, Mark. "Games and Alzheimer's: It's Complicated." HardcoreGamer. Last updated February 13, 2016. http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/02/13/games-and-alzheimers-its-complicated/192685/.
"A Shocking Campaign To Not Forget Alzheimer's." The OFPN Forum. Last updated June 13, 2009. http://www.neuropsychologie.fr/index.php?/blogs/entry/110-une-campagne-choc-pour-ne-pas-oublier-alzheimer/.
X-TORP. Accessed September 29, 2016. http://www.x-torp.com/fr/accueil/.
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