A Protocol for the Development and Assessment of a Non-Pharmacological Intervention Designed to Improve Cognitive Skills of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: A Mixed Method Design

Abstract

Aim

This paper describes the steps of a protocol for developing and assessing a non-pharmacological intervention, specifically a Serious Game, with the goal of improving eight cognitive skills in adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Serious games that focus on one deficit and/or are restricted to one disorder have been developed to improve the cognitive skills of people with Intellectual Disabilities. There is a lack of a single tool that targets various cognitive skills as well as a broader spectrum of disorders.

Purpose

The presentation of the protocol which describes the steps of developing a new Serious Game that will be evaluated in a randomised control trial intervention.

Participants and Methods

The protocol is divided into three stages: identification of cognitive deficits and development of the Serious Game, randomised control trial intervention- follow up assessment, and evaluation of the Serious Game by trainers and caregivers. The participants of the intervention are adults with Intellectual Disabilities.

Results

The protocol’s results are expected to cover the development of a new Serious Game for specific cognitive functions of a mixed group of adults with Intellectual Disabilities, evaluating the structure and content of the game through neuropsychological assessments for participants and specific questionnaires for trainers and caregivers, evaluating the improvement of specific cognitive abilities in participants in the intervention; and measuring the possible improvement of the quality of life and social interaction of people with Intellectual Disabilities.

Conclusion

This is the first study to develop a protocol and implement and assess this new Serious Game. This Serious Game is expected to assist people with Intellectual Disabilities in cognitive and social aspects.

Plain Language Summary

What is the main purpose of this study protocol? The main purpose of this publication is to present the mixed-method study protocol created by the Game4CoSkills project. Following this protocol, a new mobile Serious Game, the Game4CoSkills, was developed with the goal of improving eight cognitive skills in adults with Intellectual Disabilities. The game will be used as an interventional tool by participants, and its effectiveness will be evaluated. They also interact with health professionals and play the game, as they test the new mobile Serious Game for the first time. Following the six-month trial period, both the intervention and control groups will undergo neuropsychological testing to determine the game’s effectiveness. Following the follow-up assessment, the trainers and caregivers will provide feedback on the game through two structured questionnaires. Adults with ID may benefit from their participation.

Keywords:

• mobile game
• cognitive skills
• mild cognitive impairment
• autism spectrum disorder
• down syndrome
• adults

Acknowledgments

This research will be carried out and funded by the Game4Coskills Erasmus+ project under Grant 2021-1-FR01-KA220-ADU-000026181. The authors would like to express their gratitude to thank the participating organisations, the participants (adults with ID), the caregivers and the trainers (health professionals) for their willingness and participation during the duration of the project.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.