Overlooking the cognitive cost of serious game design? a two-stage study on interface and load in MCI
LiYan Bu, BoYu Cui, Hong Chen, WeiCheng Pan, Hesen Li · Behaviour and Information Technology · 2025
With the growing prevalence of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), effective digital interventions are urgently needed to support cognitive health in aging populations. Serious Games (SG) show promise in enhancing memory, attention, and executive function; however, complex interfaces may impose additional cognitive load (CL), limiting effectiveness for MCI users. This study examined whether and how SG interface design influences CL in older adults with MCI. A two-stage design was adopted. Study 1 used a randomised experiment comparing SG and Non-game (NG) interfaces in a symbol–position memory task, demonstrating that SG significantly increased subjective CL. Study 2 applied a large-scale survey and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test underlying mechanisms. Results confirmed that Challenge-Skill Balance (CSB) and Perceived Feedback Quality (PFQ) enhanced Ease of Understanding (EOU), Perceived Message Consistency (PMC) improved Attentional Focus (AF), and both EOU and AF reduced CL, validating a chain mediation pathway from interface design to CL. Findings extend Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), Flow Theory, and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to SG contexts, offering theoretical insights and practical guidelines for age-friendly game design. The study underscores that SG are not inherently ‘cognitively effortless’, and benefits depend on interface optimisation that balances engagement with cognitive sustainability.