Brain trainer exercise game. Field tests in Finland and Japan

In this paper we are presenting the results of digital memory game use in field test setting in Japan and Finland. The game was developed by Sendai Television Incorporated., Japan. In this study setting a total 92 Japanese and Finnish elderly played digital memory game in individual and group settings. The brain activity during the game play was measured using near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) for 6 Japanese and 6 Finnish study subjects. The post gaming questionnaire and straight observation was used in individual and group setting for 76 study subjects to examine the usability, enjoyment and difficulty in game play. Positive results was found in NIRS measurements in all study subjects. Correlation in game difficulty and game enjoyment was found in Finnish study subjects but not in Japanese population. The observation showed some cultural differences in digital game use and attitudes towards different digital brain exercise games.