Training skills of divided attention among older adults

The current study examined whether video game training would help improve divided attention skills among older adults. Twenty-nine (4 males, 25 females) participants aged 50 to 84 years (M = 70) were tested for their skills of divided attention using a memory and reaction time task. Participants were randomly allocated to the experimental group and control group and only those in the experimental group trained with the computer game, Pac-Man Adventures in Time for three hours. Results show that three hours of training are not sufficient to enhance skills of divided attention amongst older adults as the differences in these skills were not significantly different between control and experimental groups. These findings suggest that greater amounts or other methods of training may be required to enhance older adults’ ability to perform dual tasks.<br />