X-Torp is a multiplayer Serious Game that helps stimulate the cognitive functions of patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s. It was developed by a consortium composed of Genious, the Research team CoBTeK (Nice CHU, University of Nice, Inria) and the Innovation Alzheimer Association.
X-Torp : a video game for Alzheimer’s patients
The game is designed for people diagnosed with the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. It was developed by the Genious Group in partnership with the Nice CHU. X-Torp is an innovative multi-player battleship game “which combines cognitive and motor activity”, explains Philippe Robert. This serious game measures the development of Alzheimer’s disease, stimulates cognitive abilities, promotes physical activity in patients and maintains a social link.
The clinical experimentation phase for X-Torp had started in 2014 and just ended with positive results.
A study led by Pierre Foulon and Philippe Robert (President of the Association and coordinator of the Innovation Alzheimer Memory Resources and Research Centre) has validated the benefits of playing multiplayer X-Torp, a total of 10 hours of stimulation. Cognitive function of participants and their physical condition were checked a week before the start of training and one week after.
It revealed an improvement in both cognitive performance (focus, concentration) as well as physical.
According to Professor Philippe Robert: “CoBteK the team from the University of Sophia Antipolis has validated the efficacy and safety of patients in a pilot study. A larger study is under development. Beyond the results, clinicians are convinced of the use of the game. Now we are introducing a stimulus consultation every Friday to patients who have the profile to qualify. Indeed, the serious game is a new tool for health professionals. It is therefore necessary to center its use.”
Serious Game and Life Sciences on the Côte d’Azur
X-Torp isn’t the only successful project combining Life Sciences and Information Technologies on the Côte d’Azur. As the connection between the two becomes more intricate, cross projects including researchers, engineers and institutions flourish on the Côte d’Azur.
The best example to illustrate this dynamic is “MeMo” an online platform project led by the Innovation Alzheimer association and the Claude Pompidou Institute (a residential care facility and research center for Alzheimer’s disease based in Nice). With Memo (Memory Motivation) players can play several Serious Games for cognitive stimulation on a free online platform. Scores are registered by the platform so that doctors can follow their patients’s progress. > try Memo
