More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program
Background: Cognitive stimulation programs typically consist of task collections (“bundles”) designed to cover various aspects of a cognitive domain and/or sustain user engagement. However, task order is often overlooked, despite variations in difficulty based on structure or mode of implementation....
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/419 |
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| author | Ana Rita Batista Vasiliki Folia Susana Silva |
| author_facet | Ana Rita Batista Vasiliki Folia Susana Silva |
| author_sort | Ana Rita Batista |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Cognitive stimulation programs typically consist of task collections (“bundles”) designed to cover various aspects of a cognitive domain and/or sustain user engagement. However, task order is often overlooked, despite variations in difficulty based on structure or mode of implementation. This study examined users’ performance accuracy across the eight tasks that comprise the BOX semantic-based program, adapted for the Cerup/CQ online platforms. Our ultimate goal was to map the tasks onto increasing levels of challenge within thematic clusters to provide guidance for personalized task selection. Methods: After adapting the program into Portuguese using original materials based on BOX task descriptions, we made Cerup and CQ (which share the same content but have different layouts) available as free web-based tools. Participants, primarily older adults without dementia, were invited to use these platforms for cognitive stimulation. We analyzed accuracy data as a function of activity-related characteristics (complexity scores, sentence- vs. word-level) as well as participants’ spontaneous task selection. Results: Task characteristics influenced performance accuracy, indicating different levels of challenge across activities. However, spontaneous task selection did not follow any discernible pattern beyond the spatial contiguity of activity buttons, which was unrelated to participants’ likelihood of success. Based on these findings, we defined optimal navigation paths for the eight tasks. Conclusions: Challenge-based, active guidance for task selection appears justified and necessary within the BOX/Cerup/CQ programs. Additionally, the method we developed may help other programs enhance user experience and optimize task progression. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fa7908bd808945f6877f8fc83c853d89 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-fa7908bd808945f6877f8fc83c853d892025-08-20T02:24:45ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252025-04-0115441910.3390/brainsci15040419More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation ProgramAna Rita Batista0Vasiliki Folia1Susana Silva2Center for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Psychology Department, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, s/n, 4200-135 Porto, PortugalLaboratory of Neuropsychology and Behavioral Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 546 26 Thessaloniki, GreeceCenter for Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Psychology Department, University of Porto, Rua Alfredo Allen, s/n, 4200-135 Porto, PortugalBackground: Cognitive stimulation programs typically consist of task collections (“bundles”) designed to cover various aspects of a cognitive domain and/or sustain user engagement. However, task order is often overlooked, despite variations in difficulty based on structure or mode of implementation. This study examined users’ performance accuracy across the eight tasks that comprise the BOX semantic-based program, adapted for the Cerup/CQ online platforms. Our ultimate goal was to map the tasks onto increasing levels of challenge within thematic clusters to provide guidance for personalized task selection. Methods: After adapting the program into Portuguese using original materials based on BOX task descriptions, we made Cerup and CQ (which share the same content but have different layouts) available as free web-based tools. Participants, primarily older adults without dementia, were invited to use these platforms for cognitive stimulation. We analyzed accuracy data as a function of activity-related characteristics (complexity scores, sentence- vs. word-level) as well as participants’ spontaneous task selection. Results: Task characteristics influenced performance accuracy, indicating different levels of challenge across activities. However, spontaneous task selection did not follow any discernible pattern beyond the spatial contiguity of activity buttons, which was unrelated to participants’ likelihood of success. Based on these findings, we defined optimal navigation paths for the eight tasks. Conclusions: Challenge-based, active guidance for task selection appears justified and necessary within the BOX/Cerup/CQ programs. Additionally, the method we developed may help other programs enhance user experience and optimize task progression.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/419cognitive stimulationcognitive trainingadaptive advicetask selectiontailor-madeweb-based |
| spellingShingle | Ana Rita Batista Vasiliki Folia Susana Silva More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program Brain Sciences cognitive stimulation cognitive training adaptive advice task selection tailor-made web-based |
| title | More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program |
| title_full | More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program |
| title_fullStr | More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program |
| title_full_unstemmed | More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program |
| title_short | More than a Bundle? Developing Adaptive Guidance for Task Selection in an Online, Semantic-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program |
| title_sort | more than a bundle developing adaptive guidance for task selection in an online semantic based cognitive stimulation program |
| topic | cognitive stimulation cognitive training adaptive advice task selection tailor-made web-based |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/4/419 |
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