Potential for application of digital games in amblyopia treatment

— Examining Task Characteristics and Effective Utilization —

Abstract

The effect of digital games aimed at activating the visual cortex and improving adherence in amblyopia treatment was evaluated using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Healthy young subjects (n=10; 5 subjects for each experiment) were tested using two commercial games with different gaze movement patterns ("Mario Kart 8" and "Super Smash Bros") and two original games ("Window Cleaning Game" and "Drawing Game"). Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) concentration were measured in the occipital visual cortex (V2-V3 regions). Significant increases in oxy-Hb concentration (p<0.01) compared to resting state were observed across all games, with "Super Smash Bros," which requires gaze movement across the entire screen, showing the highest activation. The results suggest that game tasks requiring broad gaze movement patterns may effectively promote visual cortex activation.