Development and Usability Study of Older Adults in Motion-Captured Serious Game Incorporating Olfactory Stimulations

TL;DR

This study introduces SENSO, a multisensory virtual reality game for older adults, demonstrating high usability and potential for cognitive assessment and intervention, with performance declines linked to task complexity and age.

Contribution

The paper presents the development and usability evaluation of SENSO, a novel multisensory VR game incorporating olfactory stimuli for cognitive and motor assessment in older adults.

Findings

High usability score (mean SUS 82/100) among older adults

Performance declines observed in complex tasks with age

SENSO provides baseline metrics for cognitive impairment prediction

Abstract

SENSO is a motion-captured virtual reality serious game utilizing multisensory (visual, auditory, olfactory) stimuli to enhance cognitive and motor functions in older adults. This study evaluated its usability and performance among healthy seniors to establish normative baselines for predicting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia risk. Methods: Forty-one older adults (aged 60 and older) completed three teahouse-themed tasks: Dim Sum (selection and placement), Steamer (timing and sequencing), and Cashier (counting and transactions). Usability was assessed via the System Usability Scale (SUS), alongside age-stratified performance metrics (accuracy, completion time) from system logs. Results: Usability was rated highly (mean SUS score = 82/100). Performance varied by task complexity: the Dim Sum task showed no age-related differences, the Cashier task showed moderate decline trends, and the Steamer task revealed significant age-related declines due to higher cognitive and motor demands. Conclusion: SENSO demonstrates strong usability and provides effective baselines for cognitive assessment. Adapting complex tasks - such as enhancing olfactory cues in the Steamer game - can optimize its therapeutic efficacy as a non-pharmacological intervention for cognitive preservation.