Components of Attentional Control Cultivated by Rhythm and Dance Games
Keywords:
Rhythm games, Dance games, Attentional control, Cognitive regulation, Motivation, Sensorimotor synchronization, Qualitative researchAbstract
This study aimed to explore the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral components of attentional control that are cultivated through engagement with rhythm and dance games. A qualitative research design was employed with 23 participants from Brazil who regularly engaged in rhythm and dance games. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews designed to elicit participants’ lived experiences of attentional control in gameplay contexts. Sampling continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using NVivo 14 software. Thematic analysis guided the identification of codes, subthemes, and overarching themes, with peer debriefing and iterative coding procedures employed to enhance credibility and trustworthiness. Analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) Cognitive regulation through rhythm and dance games, including focused attention, cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, working memory enhancement, and error monitoring; (2) Emotional and motivational dimensions of attentional control, including intrinsic motivation, emotional regulation, self-efficacy, persistence, social motivation, and reward sensitivity; and (3) Behavioral and sensory-motor aspects of attentional control, encompassing sensorimotor synchronization, multisensory integration, reaction speed, habit formation, and flow of movement. Participants reported that the rhythmic and embodied demands of gameplay cultivated attentional focus, adaptability, and self-monitoring, while immersive enjoyment and social contexts reinforced persistence and motivational engagement. Additionally, participants emphasized the embodied, sensorimotor dimension of attention, noting how coordination and flow facilitated deeper focus. The findings suggest that rhythm and dance games represent effective tools for cultivating attentional control through an integrated combination of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral mechanisms. By merging rhythmic structures with interactive, embodied play, these games promote focus, adaptability, and persistence while fostering motivational engagement. These insights underscore the potential of rhythm and dance games as practical interventions for enhancing attentional capacities in educational, clinical, and recreational contexts.
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