Abstract
Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that brain activities using NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) at baseline during cognitive tasks (e.g., N-back task) can predict the cognitive benefits of a cognitive training. In this study, we investigated whether brain activities during brain training game (BT) at baseline would predict benefits to cognitive functions after the intervention period. Methods: In a four-week double-blinded randomized control trial (RCT) 72 young adults were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: participants in the BT group played specific game, called the Brain Age. Participants in an active control group (ACT) played the puzzle game Tetris. We measured brain activity during the training games using two channel NIRS before the intervention period. Cognitive functions were tested before and after the four-week intervention period. Results: The BT showed significant improvements in inhibition, processing speed, and working memory performance compared to ACT. The left and right DLPFC (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) brain activities during the BT at baseline were associated with improvements in inhibition and processing speed. Discussion: This randomized control trial first provides scientific evidence that DLPFC activities during BT at baseline can predict cognitive improvements after a four-week intervention period.
Highlights
IntroductionSeveral cognitive training methods for young adults have been reported, such as working memory training [1], processing speed training [2], and a braining training game such as Brain Age [3]
Cognitive training aims to improve cognitive functions using cognitive tasks and games in life.Several cognitive training methods for young adults have been reported, such as working memory training [1], processing speed training [2], and a braining training game such as Brain Age [3]
Note: brain training game (BT) = Brain training game, active control group (ACT) = active control game, SD = standard deviation, JART = Japanese version of the National Adult Reading Test, Cd = digit symbol coding, SS = symbol search, rST = reverse Stroop task, we investigated whether brain training-related activities predict improvements to cognitive functions
Summary
Several cognitive training methods for young adults have been reported, such as working memory training [1], processing speed training [2], and a braining training game such as Brain Age [3]. One previous study reported that brain activities at baseline during the N-back task, which were measured by NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy), were positively correlated with improved N-bask task performances in older adults with and without. Recent studies have demonstrated that brain activities using NIRS (near-infrared spectroscopy) at baseline during cognitive tasks (e.g., N-back task) can predict the cognitive benefits of a cognitive training. We investigated whether brain activities during brain training game (BT) at baseline would predict benefits to cognitive functions after the intervention period. Discussion: This randomized control trial first provides scientific evidence that DLPFC activities during BT at baseline can predict cognitive improvements after a four-week intervention period
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