Cognitive control is defined as a multicomponent construct of connected yet separable executive functions – working memory updating, inhibition and shifting – that regulate goal oriented behaviour in changing environments. In the development of new procedures for their assessment and training, participant motivation and development of multicomponent tasks based on processes of information updating and cognitive flexibility are of central importance. In the present study we wanted to test a new version of the n back task using a new serious game CCRacer 2.0. We combined demands of working memory updating (n back task) and inhibition of prepotent responses (go/no go task) in the same simulated driving scenario, and verified how they reflect in task performance. Fifty-two participants performed five gamified cognitive experimental tasks and provided feedback on the performance. The results show significant decrement in performance in the tasks where the demands were combined, as opposed to the tasks where participants had to perform single demands. Significant effects of increasing the n back level and adding demands of inhibitory control, as well as their interaction on working memory updating, i. e. performance accuracy and reaction times, were found. Measures of response accuracy of the same demand were significantly interrelated across all conditions, while measures of response accuracy of each demand were not, which indicates their diversity. The new version comprises the same processes as the single tasks and provides adequate possibilities for assessing different executive functions within the same stimulus context. Furthermore, the interaction between demands suggests a certain degree of shared processes, which are most likely related to the general processes of inhibitory control and control of attention as well as flexible allocation of cognitive resources, i. e. general cognitive control mechanisms. Participants rated the new serious game and scenarios as motivating and interesting. The improved version of the task provides good opportunities for research and efficient assessment of multiple cognitive functions in diverse populations with the potential future use in multicomponent cognitive training.
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