Objectivity
The game calculates the results
The measures come from the gameplay record. Players follow an in-game tutorial, so sessions do not require one-on-one expert instruction or constant supervision.
For universities and research groups
Want to add MARBLS to your research?
MARBLS is a video game that gives researchers six measures based on how a child plays. A session takes about 30 minutes, and the game calculates the results automatically.
Ask about using MARBLS in your research
Peer-reviewed research on assessing executive functioning
We worked with researchers at Nagoya University Hospital and other institutions to study the relationship between gameplay and executive functioning.
- Journal
- Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2024 (peer-reviewed)
- Participants
- 33 people aged 8 to 21 in Japan, 22 of them with an ADHD diagnosis
- Compared with
- CANTAB (computerized neuropsychological tests) and the Conners 3 parent form (ratings of executive functioning in daily life)
- Result
- Two of the game’s measures correlated significantly with parents’ ratings of executive functioning in daily life. The traditional neuropsychological tests in the same study did not.
- Note
- The study reports five of the six measures; the sixth was added a year later.
Using MARBLS in a study
MARBLS is designed to make research on executive functioning easier for children, families, and researchers.
Ecological validity
Related to daily life
Ecological validity describes how well a measure relates to daily life. The findings above suggest that some MARBLS measures may help researchers study everyday executive functioning.
Key facts
- What is measured
- Six measures for each player. They are designed to reflect parts of executive functioning, such as planning, set shifting, inhibitory control and working memory.
- Research behind it
- Built on research into executive functioning in children and adolescents with ADHD.
- Price
- Contact us for a quote. If you know how many people will take part and how many sessions each person will complete, include those details.
- One session
- Under 30 minutes, at home or in your lab, on a Windows or Mac computer with a controller. Check system requirements
- Players
- Ages 8 and up. The game is in English and Japanese.
- Data handling
- See our Privacy Policy for details.
- Consent
- Parents or guardians control data sharing by default. Contact us to discuss the settings your study needs.
- Not a diagnosis
- MARBLS is a consumer video game, not a medical device. Its results are not for clinical diagnosis.
Plan your study with MARBLS.
Tell us what you want to study and what you need from MARBLS. We’ll discuss how we can support your research.
Do you work at a school or a support service? See the page for schools and support services