Duncan is MyCognition’s CEO and holds extensive technology and business management experience.

This guest post was submitted to us by Duncan Knight – Chief Executive Officer at MyCognition.

MyCognition is a new cognitive health organisation, that offers a fascinating, fun approach to assessing and improving cognitive health. MyCognition work in the education, business and health sectors to help enhance and further understand cognitive function. Duncan’s latest update brings news of how MyCognition are hoping to improve the lives of those with neurological and psychological conditions using their unique gaming therapy.

The Benefits of Gaming as Therapy

Applied, or serious gaming as it is sometimes called, is becoming an increasingly popular platform for cognitive training. Often called brain training in contemporary society. Traditional cognitive training is a very well understood training method, however it requires time and resources to be carried out. It is also not as engaging as it could be.

Therefore using video games as a therapy has become a more compelling option for some people. It is more engaging, resulting in higher training compliance, less time consuming as it is self-administered and less costly than traditional training.

Much of my recent work has been with students of both primary and secondary school age. They get to measure their cognitive capacity with our assessment tool MyCQ and then play one of our video games to train their cognition. They are all interested in what their cognitive measurements are and get very competitive with each other even when completing the assessment!

When playing our cognitive training games they are also enthused to see how they score and constantly compare these scores with the scores of their peers. This is very satisfying to see as it supports the idea that a self-administered cognitive training game is the way to go for students.

My Cognition games are designed to enhance cognition in a fun way. They are all linked to MyCQ™, cognition assessment tool, which assesses cognition before and during gameplay.

My experience working with business people is a little different. They are not as interested in the competitive side of playing the game. I notice they are more compelled by the potential outcome of having an increased cognitive ability. They genuinely want to be able to make more accurate and timely decisions at work. Many have shared the same sentiments that they want to be less stressed by having as much time as possible to do their work and not stay late to complete it.

MyCQ infographic shows the various processes and stages involved in an Applied Cognitive Gaming assessment.

We know that having an increased cognition will improve their efficiency. Working with a group of people with health motivations is completely different again. I met with a group of incredibly motivated young men who have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. All of them were taking part in holistic programs including medication, counseling and cognitive therapy. The medication was helping them with their delusions, but the side effects make it impossible to find work or attend college.

They all said cognitive therapy was extremely boring and motivating themselves to attend these sessions became difficult. All of these patients spend much of their time playing console games such as GTA, Call of Duty and The Elder Scrolls. I was worried they wouldn’t want to play our video game (it didn’t cost US$500k to make). However their personal motivations to increase their cognition meant they said they would be happy to play and train. They want to lead as normal a life as possible, be productive and add value to their lives and the world around them. I take my hat off to them.

We are now running our first clinical trial with some of these Schizophrenia patients. Also included in this trial are those with a diagnosis of Depression and OCD.

Later this year I am going to work with much older patient populations. Folk with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s; it will be fascinating to see how they react to gaming as a therapy.

Dual Net Gaming Site Review of the Mini Connect

There are many gamers out there with disabilities and the number of blogs and reviewers is growing almost weekly.

We were very impressed with the newish blog called Ergo Hacks. They are building up a large and frequently updated site of all things accessible gaming, with recent news, game reviews and product and technical updates being added very regularly.

Trabasack Mini Connect detail taken by gaming reviews at Ergo Hacks

We were pleased to hear that they would review a Trabasack Mini Connect with a Media Mount with the uses for gamers with disabilities in mind…

The review was very positive and comprehensive. In particular they liked the design features that have been added to make trabasack a very ‘inclusive design ‘ and usable by a wide range of people.

Some nice touches demonstrate the attention to detail that makes this an exemplary bag. The tray has an edge that prevents items from sliding off, the zipper pull rings are chunky and large and easy to use even by those who have some impairment in their hands or small children. Two types of clips are used to attach the straps, a swivel clip and a snap hook clip, both are again easy to use.

They were also impressed with The Media Mount and the velcro receptive function of the trabasack connect tray surface and the  Media Mount:

Switches, a mouse mat and controllers can all be stuck to the tray in an ergonomic position for the user, preventing slippage and making it easy to move the whole tray with attached devices instead of having to balance or remove all devices before being able to move the tray to get up.

On the whole they concluded:

The Trabasack is a versatile innovative product highly recommended to anyone who travels frequently, don’t have a desk at home or requires a specialist surface due to a disability that reduces motor function or causes fatigue. It is easy to pack up your kit when retiring from the lounge to the bedroom and only have one bag to carry up and down the stairs. If you are gaming anywhere but a desk, it provides a stable surface on your lap for either a controller, switches or mouse and keypad set-up.

These extracts are taken from the Trabasack Review on Ergo Hacks The site is well worth a visit. There is lots more useful information there.

Trabasack Review from Izzy of  EnabledGaming Blog

Izzy is an antipodean gaming enthusiast who has a blog at EnabledGaming.blogspot (which is unfortunately currently unavailable). We first heard about Izzy’s enthusiasm for gaming when we read this interview with him at the excellent Special Effect Gamebase site.

In the interview Izzy talks about his current set up that allows him to enjoy gaming

My gaming setup includes a custom built mini joystick attached to a microphone stand, 2 micro switches and 2 touch switches. I also use a voice recognition program called Game Commander 3, and X-Keys switchbox and a custom Autohotkey script.

I use the mini joystick with my lips to move the mouse cursor around while using a micro switch in each hand for left and right clicking. I have 2 touch switches positioned near my face, 1 on each cheek, which I use for middle click and an extra button.

Game Commander 3 allows me to activate keyboard commands with my voice. It’s used for playing all of my games and is an essential gaming tool. My X-Keys switchbox allows me to program my switches to perform various commands depending on which program I have running. The Autohotkey script is used to program the mouse axis to perform different commands. This is essential for racing games and platformers.

Izzy has been very ill this year but we were thrilled when we discovered he had managed to record this video review of Trabasack Mini Connect:

Thank you very much Izzy for your efforts and very kind words! Anyone interested in talking to Izzy further can find him via his facebook profile.

He also was also recently interviewed about website accessibility for Red Bridge Web.

Trabasack on The AbleGamers Disabled Gamers Holiday Buying Guide

We were also chuffed to find that the Media Mount was included on the AbleGamers list of best buys for 2012:

Trabasack System One of the coolest items for the mobility impaired gamer, Trabasack’s new Media Mount uses Velcro “Noodles” to secure objects the surface of the tray. This soft felt beauty has a comfortable feel, but maintains its role as a sturdy table alternative with the added security of locking down your new expensive electronic items. Give yourself some peace of mind with a Trabasack this year.

So all in all there has been some great endorsements for the Trabasack from the disabled gaming community in 2012. Roll on 2013, there is much more to come! 😉

The Orthros PlayStation Controller

The Trabasack team were pleased to do a spot of networking at the Naidex National Convention again in May and whilst at the event it’s always on our mind to scout out likeminded business and those who have exciting innovative creations in the New Products Showcase. This year we were particularly interested in LEPMIS (Long Eaton Powered Mobility Integration Service) who used the national event to launch their accessible and ingenious ORTHROS gaming controller.

The ORTHROS one handed gaming handset is a completely original creation which allows a user access to all the standard PlayStation controls via one single controller, therefore making the console itself much more accessible. The ORTHROS controller attracted a lot of attention at the convention and in fact came third in one of the many fantastic awards that Naidex offer to their most innovative and up and coming new inventions. Orthos is named after the two headed dog in Greek Mythology if you are wondering!

Their first customer for Orthos was an amputee serviceman who was thrilled with it and within minutes was back to the same level on his playstation game that he had been before his injury!

A Closer Look at LEPMIS and Orthros

LEPMIS have been trading since 2005 and work with individuals to help provide a range of gaming equipment and technology to enhance their gaming experience and access to regular console gaming and other similar devices and technology. LEPMIS gaming products allow gamers with disabilities to access their favourite Sony PlayStation games without issue, using specially designed custom switches, adapted joysticks or further specifically designed products.

Orthros is an example of a product which LEPMIS have been able to market more widely and has proven a huge success when taken to Naidex. With its sturdy design incorporating every one of the PlayStation 3 controller’s buttons on a single one-hand joystick, PlayStation gaming has never been more accessible, as this video demonstrates:

Playing via Orthros using a Trabasack as a Mount.

Trabasack as a Mount for the Orthros Accessible Controller

Whilst at Naidex the Trabasack team gave the guys at Lepmis a chance to trial the Trabasack lap tray and bag as a mount for the Orthros with positive results as the pictures show and with the new Media Mount available, we’re sure the LEPMIS range of products would work fantastically in conjunction with trabasack to provide a secure mount for your gaming controller.

Tobii EyeAsteroids

Tobii are a world-renowned, field-leading vendor of eye tracking technology, a process that can revolutionise computing and now, gaming for individuals with motor disabilities. Enjoying arcade gaming can be made accessible with the installation of Tobii Eye-Controlled arcade gaming machines equipped with Tobii’s trade-marked EyeAsteroids game.

EyeAsteroids is the only arcade game which is solely controlled by your eyes and without the need for complicated wires and connections between you and the game machine. EyeAsteroids is both fast and intuitive and makes gaming an extremely exciting experience for all.

Using your eyes as a game controller is an extremely different experience to standard gaming and allows users with motor disabilities to fully enjoy gaming the ways other can. Using gaze interaction in a gaming environment is extremely in depth technology and put basically, the game is programmed to understand your gaze in the same way people do. This is gaming on a new level.

The game itself is quite simple, like all good arcade games are and basically the gamer’s avatar is Earth and you need to defend yourself from in-coming asteroids by firing laser beams and bombs. It contains all the traditional, retro features you could want from an arcade game.

Tobii is the world’s leading supplier of eye tracking and eye control technology and their research has become integral to developing technology in many aspects of research, not just gaming. They’re committed to innovation and their eye tracking technology has revolutionised research across many fields. As well as making gaming accessible, Tobii’s technology has aided communication for thousands of non-verbal individuals who previously had no access to communication at all.

This video shows exactly how Tobii Asteroids works and how their technology makes arcade gaming a totally new experience:

Help Myles and his family, who are almost at their fundraising target.

We recently received an e-mail from Christine Sketchley telling us all about her inspirational son Myles and his charity appeal. Myles is a twelve year old wheelchair user who has a combination of conditions which can make daily life very difficult for him. He has Cerebral Palsy, Scoliosis, high muscle tone and is partially sighted, but he remains positive and happy and his family says that he is an inspiration.

Myles’ conditions have meant that he’s had over twenty operations in the twelve years of his life and this has resulted in him needing to use a wheelchair full time. Myles and his family had to make the difficult decision to have Myles’ hips removed so that he could sit comfortably. This means that his only way of exercising is in water and through hydrotherapy as, without hips, he is unable to weight bear. Unfortunately due to funding cutbacks, his school are only able to take him swimming once a fortnight.

However, Myles’ consultants have said that he regular daily exercise to be healthy. To help Myles have the opportunity to exercise, Myles’ mum Christine decided to raise money for a hot-tub at home and so that he can get the hydrotherapy he needs. They have already made a huge achievement and are ‘nearing the finish line’ to get it to the £10,000 target.  In fact, they’ve received £7,100 so far thanks to a range of different fundraisers and donations. However, the final cash is still needed and a local charity in Myles’  home town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire are helping out.

The Men of Sherwood Society are staging a race night at the Royal Legion Social Club in Hucknall on January 13th. During this night, there will also be a fundraising raffle with many great prizes (including of course a Trabasack!). We have also sent a Trabasack to Myles to so he can more easily enjoy his favourite games.

Myles the Trabasaxon!

We sincerely hope that the fundraiser will help Myles’ family along the way to their final target so Myles can exercise at his own pace with the support he needs.

If you’d like to buy a ticket for the fundraiser, donate to Myle’s hot tub appeal, offer up a prize for the raffle or anything else, please contact Christine on 0115 9632401 or leave a comment below and we will pass on your details to the family.

One of the oldest games that ill be featured at the SpecialEffect stand at REPLAY will be Minestorm for the MB Vectrex, originally from 1982. This cool vector-scan video game has modified so that it can be played with a single switch: Hyperspace.

Enjoy accessible gaming at Replay Expo 2011, a hugely popular and exciting retro video gaming exhibition which attracts people from all walks of life united by their love of video gaming in all the old nostalgic forms!

This year, it’s taking place on 5^th and 6^th November in Blackpool’s Norbeck Castle and it’s an event which should surely bring back memories of early gaming on Pac-Man to Space Invaders! Whether you’re an ardent Playstation lover or prefer to stick to your Nintendo, you are sure to enjoy Replay.

Even more excitingly, especially for us at Trabasack and accessible gaming is the SpecialEffect stand which is offering fully accessible retro gaming at the event. All range of games from racing to one-switch dance mat games, you can thoroughly enjoy the gaming experience in an accessible and enhanced way!

Visit the SpecialEffect Stand for Accessible Gaming

At the SpecialEffect stand you can enjoy all your favourite games, play for fun, compete against friends or even try and win some of the

Use Trabasack as a level playing surface that holds adapted controllers securely with its velcro ready surface

sweets in the mini-challenges set by the stall holders! The stall will also feature Trabasack products which are obviously fantastic for accessible gaming use, perhaps to mount your gaming switch.

Trabasack’s innovative lap tray surface is ‘velcro-receptive’ so that it can hold adapted controllers and switches securely. It is very versatile for mounting switches, joysticks or any type of controller and means that you can easily play any game you please from the comfort of your seat. If you want to you can use one of the longer supplied straps as bumbag strap around your waist and keep you controller and your Trabasack securely strapped to your lap!

An Able-Net “Big-Red” accessibility switch and a Trabasack.

Play a new one-switch version of the legendary Taito Space Invaders

Retro gaming is a huge craze which looks to remain popular as technology develops we love reminiscing about the old Ataris, Megadrives and other consoles of our childhood and teens. One of the oldest games that will be featured at the SpecialEffect stand at REPLAY will be Minestorm for the MB Vectrex, originally from 1982. This cool vector-scan video game has modified so that it can be played with a single switch: Hyperspace.

 The oldest game will be the original Taito Space Invaders game from 1978. The team from the Replay SpecialEffect stand have made a version that is one-switch accessible, including adding playing credits, choosing a one-player game and playing this ultimate classic game!

For full details of the event click the poster image below:

The Special Effect Accessible Retro Gaming Stand at REPLAY 2011 – click the image for more info.