SPINOMINO

Spinomino is a board game designed to support people recovering from stroke, particularly those experiencing speech and communication impairments such as aphasia. In the early stages of recovery, one of the key challenges faced by therapists and families is rebuilding social interaction and reintegrating the patient into everyday relationships. Social games can act as an effective therapeutic tool, improving emotional well-being, motivation, and confidence.

The game was developed with a strong focus on accessibility and inclusive design. The size of the elements and symbols ensures readability and ease of handling, minimizing barriers related to visual impairments, reduced fine motor skills, or limited mobility. The material choices and form language reference classic, noble board games such as chess or go, reinforcing a sense of dignity and familiarity rather than a clinical or medical character.

Two double-sided boards allow the difficulty level to be adjusted to the user’s abilities and rehabilitation stage. The game includes multiple randomizing elements: two spinning tops with polygon-based discs and two large dice, all designed for easy grip and clear visual recognition.

Players aim to fill a designated shape on the selected board, supporting spatial planning and cognitive organization skills. The blocks introduce three changing variables — shape, color, and value — which stimulate memory, categorization, and decision-making processes. Importantly, the gameplay mechanics ensure that players with neurological impairments have an equal chance of winning by covering a larger area with their pieces, promoting fairness, agency, and positive engagement.

Spinomino combines rehabilitation support with meaningful social interaction, demonstrating how thoughtfully designed play can enhance communication, cognitive function, and emotional recovery.