Do Brain Training Games Actually Improve Memory?

You’ve probably heard of those games that say they can help improve your memory and attention if you play them every day (and pay a monthly subscription fee). You know what I’m talking about, right? The games have you make sure the coffee doesn’t overflow, send trains to the right stations, or memorize sequences of shapes. And the companies say they have the research to back it up! ** AHEM ** Have you actually read the research? Don’t worry, that’s why I’m writing this article for you. Because I have read the research as it relates to memory and cognitive disorders. I want to help you understand what can help you actually improve your cognition (with the added bonus of saving your hard-earned money). Spoiler alert, it’s not brain training games!

The Truth About Brain Training Games

So… do brain training games help? The short answer? No. According to current research, brain training games do not improve memory or attention in adults and elderly already exhibiting cognitive decline or with existing cognitive impairments. So, why do all of these companies boast about the positive effects of their games? The answer isn’t exactly that simple, but I’ll tell you why their research should be taken with a grain of salt.

• Participants

  There are a few key details that companies like Lumosity leave out of their marketing… All of their studies have been conducted on healthy adults. This means the average person, with no pre-existing medical concerns related to brain function or cognition. This also means no older adults (age 65+), a population that experiences changes to their brains due to normal aging.

• Poor Standards Across Studies

  A study in 2016 looked at a large number of studies to see if the conclusions could be compared to one another. They found that none of the studies featured on brain training websites at the time conformed to the best practices that are essential to drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of these programs.

• Potential Conflicts of Interest

  Did you know many of these studies have been funded by the brain training companies themselves? While this doesn’t necessarily mean the study isn’t valid, it should also be looked at with caution due to stakeholder interests. It’s kind of a moral gray area. Researchers can be impacted by publication restrictions by the company and outside influence.

What the Research Says

It is widely accepted by the scientific community that there is a lot of evidence saying brain training games can help improve performance on trained tasks. Simply put, you only improve your ability to play the game, not the actual skill. There is little evidence that brain training games improve your performance in everyday cognitive tasks. For example, when you’re playing a game that is supposed to improve memory, it’s not actually going to help you remember that old friend’s name or to take out the garbage every Thursday.

So, do yourself a favor - save your money and end your subscription to those brain training games!

So How Can I Improve Cognitive Functioning?

Based on what we know from research, you have to practice doing the things you want to improve! Activities need to be salient and relevant to change the brain. That means…

• If you want to remember people’s names, you need to practice their names

• If you want to pay bills on time, you need to set up your environment to help you remember when the due date is by using phone reminders and creating an organizational system

• If you want to make sure you pay attention in conversation, practice having a conversation and actively listen

These are just some simple ideas. For more complex difficulties, you may need a little bit of help from a professional that specializes in cognition. That’s where speech therapy can come into play!

Speech pathologists are trained to help improve cognitive functions including memory, attention, and executive functioning. At Neuro Speech Solutions, we have helped many people improve their cognitive abilities to increase their overall quality of life and perform optimally in their job.

Not sure if speech or cognitive therapy is right for you? Give us a call for a free consultation! (716) 817-8855

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Neuro Speech Solutions is the only speech therapy private practice in Buffalo, NY that specializes in adult neurological rehabilitation. Our specialty is in brain injury, including stroke, TBI, and concussions, as well as neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia. All of our SLPs are dedicated to providing evidence-based cognitive therapy that will help you improve and compensate for memory, attention, or executive functioning difficulties you may be experiencing. If you are searching for an SLP, give us a call and see what makes our clinic different than the rest!

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References:

Stojanoski, B., Lyons, K.M., Pearce, A.A., & Owen, A. (2018). Targeted training: Converging evidence against the transferable benefits of online brain training on cognitive function. Neuropsychologia, 117, 541-550.

Stojanoski, B., Wild, C. J., Battista, M. E., Nichols, E. S., & Owen, A. M. (2020). Brain training habits are not associated with generalized benefits to cognition: An online study of over 1000 "brain trainers". Journal of experimental psychology. Advance online publication.

Simons, D. J., Boot, W. R., Charness, N., Gathercole, S. E., Chabris, C. F., Hambrick, D. Z., & Stine-Morrow, E. A. L. (2016). Do “Brain-Training” Programs Work? Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(3), 103–186.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Katie Brown, MA, CCC-SLP, CBIS

Katie is the owner and founder of Neuro Speech Solutions. She is passionate about providing person-centered treatment to her clients in order to meet their life participation goals. Katie is dedicated to helping other SLPs provide functional therapy through affordable materials and education courses.

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