A serious-gamification blueprint towards a normalized attention

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience
• Game Design

Background:

• Attention is a critical cognitive skill, with deficits impacting daily functioning and potentially indicating underlying mental health conditions like ADHD.
• Traditional cognitive behavioral therapies (CBTs) can be volatile and may not always provide sustained attention improvement.
• Serious games offer a novel approach to therapeutic interventions, particularly for conditions affecting attention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a generic reference model for designing game-based treatment methods to enhance attention and focus.
• To analyze the evolution of serious games for ADHD treatment, considering the limitations of traditional CBT.
• To provide a roadmap for developing augmented reality treatment games by outlining essential components and processes.

Main Methods:

• Development of a generic reference model integrating core CBT principles into a modular framework.
• Analysis of existing serious games design for ADHD treatment.
• Elaboration of the model's components and processes for creating augmented reality treatment games.

Main Results:

• The proposed model offers a structured approach to designing serious games for attention enhancement.
• It facilitates the modular integration of CBT elements into game-based therapeutic environments.
• The model serves as a foundation for developing innovative augmented reality interventions for attention deficits.

Conclusions:

• The reference model provides a viable framework for creating effective game-based treatments for attention deficits, including ADHD.
• Integrating CBT principles into serious games can lead to more engaging and potentially more effective therapeutic strategies.
• Augmented reality game design, guided by this model, holds promise for future attention training interventions.