Brain Training

This study developed "Smart Brain," an ICT-based cognitive training app for elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Using a systematic review and user needs analysis, the app combines cognitive games, health tracking, emotional support, and social engagement to address cognitive decline comprehensively. Usability testing demonstrated its functionality and engagement for users and caregivers. The app's design supports daily life skills and social interaction, promoting cognitive health and quality of life. Its potential lies in early intervention to delay dementia progression while fostering community-based care.

This large-scale study examined the effectiveness of commercial brain training programs, analyzing data from over 60,000 participants. Results showed that long-term brain training (over a year) led to small improvements in working memory and verbal ability but had negligible effects on reasoning skills or real-world functions like attention and employment. Other cognitive activities, such as puzzles and games, demonstrated stronger benefits. The study highlights that while brain training can improve specific skills, its broader claims are overstated.

This study examined the impact of brain training games (BTGs), specifically Lumosity, on cognitive performance in healthy young adults. Participants who played BTGs for 15 minutes daily over three weeks showed significant improvements in attention, memory, and processing speed compared to a control group. The study also investigated the potential role of biological markers like BDNF and ApoE in cognitive changes, but no significant associations were found. These findings suggest short-term cognitive benefits from structured brain training, though long-term effects remain unclear.

This observational study analyzed data from over 12,000 older adults using cognitive mobile games (CMG) over 100 sessions. Results showed significant improvements in cognitive performance and processing speed across all age groups, though progress was slower in participants over 80 years old. CMGs targeted abilities like memory, attention, and problem-solving, demonstrating the potential of mobile apps to help older adults maintain cognitive health in real-life settings. However, the study lacked information on participants' health backgrounds, limiting broader conclusions.

The Harvard Health article evaluates the effectiveness of brain-training apps and computer games in enhancing cognitive function. It notes that while these programs are marketed to improve memory and mental sharpness, scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is limited. Some studies indicate potential benefits, such as improved processing speed and working memory, but these findings are often undermined by methodological flaws. Moreover, the Federal Trade Commission has penalized companies for unsubstantiated claims. The article suggests that traditional activities like reading, playing cards, or engaging in new hobbies may be more effective in maintaining cognitive health. Given the current evidence, incorporating diverse, mentally stimulating activities into daily life is recommended over relying solely on brain-training apps.

This study investigated how physical activity and video gaming influence mental health and cognitive performance in over 1,000 participants. Regular exercise improved mental health, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, but did not enhance cognitive abilities like memory or reasoning. In contrast, frequent video gaming significantly boosted cognitive performance, particularly reasoning and short-term memory, but had no impact on mental health. The findings suggest that exercise and video gaming benefit different aspects of brain health and can complement one another.

The article "No gain from brain training" discusses a large-scale study conducted by British researchers in collaboration with the BBC Lab UK website, which evaluated the effectiveness of computerized brain-training games. The study involved over 11,000 adults aged 18 to 60, who engaged in various online tasks designed to improve cognitive functions such as reasoning, memory, and problem-solving skills. Participants practiced these tasks for at least ten minutes a day, three times a week, over six weeks. While participants showed improvement in the specific tasks they practiced, the study found no evidence that these gains transferred to general cognitive abilities, such as memory, reasoning, or learning. The researchers concluded that practicing a broad range of cognitive tasks did not lead to overall improvements in cognitive function.This study holds significance for brain health and cognitive performance by challenging the efficacy of commercial brain-training programs that claim to enhance general cognitive abilities. The findings suggest that while individuals may become better at specific tasks through repetition, these improvements do not necessarily generalize to broader cognitive functions. Consequently, individuals seeking to maintain or improve brain health might consider alternative lifestyle changes with more substantial evidence supporting their effectiveness. Engaging in regular physical-exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, ensuring adequate sleep, and participating in intellectually stimulating activities (such as learning new skills or hobbies) have been associated with better cognitive health. Given that the study was published in Nature, a reputable peer-reviewed scientific journal, the findings are credible and warrant consideration. However, it's important to note that the study's participants were adults aged 18 to 60, and the results may not generalize to older adults or individuals with cognitive impairments, who are often the target audience for brain-training programs. Additionally, the training duration averaged only four hours over six weeks, which some experts argue may be insufficient to produce meaningful cognitive changes. Therefore, while the study provides valuable insights, further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of brain-training programs across different populations and with varying training intensities.

This review critically examines claims surrounding cognitive-training and brain games, highlighting mixed evidence for their effectiveness. While users often improve at the specific games they practice, evidence of broader cognitive benefits that transfer to real-world skills remains inconsistent. Studies suggest that structured activities like exercise, learning new skills, or volunteering may offer similar or greater cognitive benefits without relying on brain-training programs. The research emphasizes the need for more rigorous methodologies and real-world impact evaluations.

This meta-analysis assessed the effects of commercial computerized cognitive games (ccCGs) on cognitive functions in adults over 60 without cognitive impairments. Data from 16 randomized controlled trials with 1,543 participants showed significant improvements in processing speed, working memory, executive function, and verbal memory. However, there were no significant gains in attention or visuospatial abilities. The findings support the use of ccCGs to enhance specific cognitive skills in older adults, but benefits are generally limited to trained domains, and evidence of long-term effects remains unclear.