If you want to lose weight or get stronger, you go to the gym. Is there a way for our brains to get stronger? A recent article released by Monitor on Psychology, looked at recent research in brain training. Recently, companies like Lumosity and Post Science offer games that guarantee improvement in cognitive skills, such as memory, attention, processing speed, mental flexibility, and problem solving. In 2012, the brain-health industry surpassed $1 billion in revenue, according to a report by SharpBrains. Even though these products are selling, how effective are they really? There are positive results in research that cognitive training can improve working and short-term memory, processing speed, and attention; however, scientists are still trying to determine the most effective way of creating brain games that work. Research conducted by Glenn Smith, PhD, a neuropsychologist with the Mayo Clinic, has shown that cognitive training in one skill can lead to added cognitive benefits in other areas, specifically in memory and attention. Smith’s study labeled IMPACT (Improvements in Memory with Plasticity-based Adaptive Cognitive Training) used adults 65 and over who did not have dementia and had them complete computerized exercises designed to improve the speed and accuracy of auditory information processing. These individuals exhibited greater improvements in general tests of memory and attention, even though these were not the target areas (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2009). Sadly, these improvements were not permanent and at a three-month follow up, the participants’ cognitive improvements had declined. However, other cognitive abilities appear to be more enduring following training. A psychologist working for the NIH’s National Institute on Aging explained general memory interventions tend to be less effective than skills such as reasoning and processing speed. This Study named ACTIVE (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly) saw sustained improvements in reasoning and processing speed a decade later (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2014). At the end of the day, the brain is a muscle and it needs to engage in exercise in order to become stronger and healthier.
Weir, K. (2014, October). Mind games. Monitor on Psychology, 45(9). Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/10/mind-games.aspx