Development of a Measure of Copresence, Social Interaction, and Engagement During Online Gameplay for Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with declines in memory and executive function, which can reduce opportunities for meaningful social interaction, a critical component of well-being in older adulthood. Digital games show promise for fostering connection among older adults with MCI, but evaluating the quality of these interactions, particularly in remote contexts, remains a challenge. We conducted a study where dyads of older adults, with and without MCI, played familiar games both in-person and remotely using the video chat platform OneClick.chat. To assess their shared experience, we developed the Copresence, Social Interaction, and Engagement (CPSIE) scale, a 20-item self-report measure designed to capture core aspects of social gameplay. Using the CPSIE, we compared experiences between an initial and redesigned version of Connect 4. Results showed that the redesigned game improved co-presence and engagement scores in remote play, effectively eliminating the prior gap between remote and in-person conditions. This work introduces a novel instrument for evaluating social connectedness in digital games and provides design insights for creating more meaningful, engaging virtual play experiences for older adults.