Evaluation of Processing Speed of Different Cognitive Functions Across the Life Span Using Cognitive Mobile Games

Abstract

Objective: Processing speed (PS) is an important indicator of cognitive functioning and normal aging. However, the tools used to evaluate these are often rather simplistic and only assess one cognitive component. The aim of this study was to use cognitive mobile games (CMG) to evaluate the evolution of reaction times over the life span during different cognitive tasks.Methodology: We carried out a retrospective observational study in which we obtained anonymized results of 15,000 subjects. Scores of five CMG that train arithmetic, vocabulary, response control, visual attention and recognition, and working memory were analyzed.Results: Overall, we observed a highly statistically significant decrease (P < 0.001) in PS and a decrease of accuracy (P < 0.001) with increasing participant age, indicating that for each cognitive function tested, older participants performed cognitive tasks more slowly than younger participants. We also observed an interaction between the age of the participants and the number of errors. These results are consistent with physiological data with respect to aging and cognition.Conclusion: Owing to their wide availability and ease of use, CMG could be used as a simple tool to monitor cognitive function such as PS. Further studies are needed to study the influence of pathologies on those variables.