As populations age, dementia has become one of the most pressing health challenges of our time. While there is no cure, research increasingly points to the power of cognitive stimulation in slowing decline and improving quality of life. One particularly promising approach is the use of serious games—digital games designed not just for entertainment, but for measurable health and cognitive benefits.
Why Games Work for the Brain
Traditional cognitive exercises, like paper-and-pencil tasks, are often repetitive and uninspiring. Serious games, by contrast, bring interactivity, variety, and fun into the process. They target key cognitive domains such as memory, attention, executive functions, language, and reasoning, while keeping users motivated through engaging mechanics.
One notable example is Eligence, an online platform developed by Maggioli S.p.A., a partner of the COMFORTage project. Already supporting individuals and professionals across Europe with cognitive training activities, Eligence provides a solid foundation that COMFORTage is now building upon through its integration in pilots and the introduction of new personalization features.
Personalization: The Key to Effectiveness
One of the strongest findings in dementia research is that personalized interventions work best. Eligence incorporates this by letting professionals select games based on a patient’s neuropsychological profile, stage of dementia, and cognitive load tolerance. Adaptive difficulty keeps players in the “flow zone”—challenged but not overwhelmed—maximizing both engagement and therapeutic impact.
Beyond Cognition: Social and Emotional Benefits
Serious games don’t just train the brain; they also foster social connection. Eligence includes multiplayer and group modes, encouraging cooperative or competitive play. For older adults, especially those at risk of isolation, this social dimension can be as valuable as the cognitive training itself.
Early Evidence and Future Directions
Within COMFORTage, Eligence is already being deployed in pilot sites across Europe, where older adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), or early dementia are engaging with its suite of games. Each pilot has adapted the platform to local languages and cultural contexts, ensuring accessibility and relevance. Early feedback shows strong satisfaction from users and caregivers, alongside measurable improvements in targeted cognitive functions.
Looking ahead, the project is working toward more advanced personalization. Beyond today’s manual tailoring, COMFORTage is developing AI-driven adaptive training models that will analyse user performance data and automatically recommend structured game sequences. These models will dynamically adjust not only difficulty but also the type and order of games, creating a training path uniquely suited to each individual’s cognitive profile.
A Playful Path to Prevention
While serious games are not a cure, they represent a powerful tool in the fight against dementia. By combining science, technology, and play, platforms like Eligence make cognitive training more accessible, enjoyable, and effective. For older adults, caregivers, and healthcare professionals, this approach offers hope: that through play, we can preserve independence, strengthen minds, and delay the progression of dementia.
**Article written by Maggioli S.p.A, a key partner in the COMFORTage project.