Abstract
BackgroundA variety of studies have demonstrated gains in cognitive ability following cognitive training interventions. However, other studies have not shown such gains, and questions remain regarding the efficacy of specific cognitive training interventions. Cognitive training research often involves programs made up of just one or a few exercises, targeting limited and specific cognitive endpoints. In addition, cognitive training studies typically involve small samples that may be insufficient for reliable measurement of change. Other studies have utilized training periods that were too short to generate reliable gains in cognitive performance.MethodsThe present study evaluated an online cognitive training program comprised of 49 exercises targeting a variety of cognitive capacities. The cognitive training program was compared to an active control condition in which participants completed crossword puzzles. All participants were recruited, trained, and tested online (N = 4,715 fully evaluable participants). Participants in both groups were instructed to complete one approximately 15-minute session at least 5 days per week for 10 weeks.ResultsParticipants randomly assigned to the treatment group improved significantly more on the primary outcome measure, an aggregate measure of neuropsychological performance, than did the active control group (Cohen’s d effect size = 0.255; 95% confidence interval = [0.198, 0.312]). Treatment participants showed greater improvements than controls on speed of processing, short-term memory, working memory, problem solving, and fluid reasoning assessments. Participants in the treatment group also showed greater improvements on self-reported measures of cognitive functioning, particularly on those items related to concentration compared to the control group (Cohen’s d = 0.249; 95% confidence interval = [0.191, 0.306]).ConclusionTaken together, these results indicate that a varied training program composed of a number of tasks targeted to different cognitive functions can show transfer to a wide range of untrained measures of cognitive performance.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT-02367898
Highlights
Recent evidence suggests that engaging in cognitively challenging activities can positively impact brain function, with studies demonstrating behavioral [1, 2], physiological [3, 4], and real-world functional [5, 6] gains
The present study evaluated an online cognitive training program comprised of 49 exercises targeting a variety of cognitive capacities
Improvements on self-reported measures of cognitive functioning, on those items related to concentration compared to the control group (Cohen’s d = 0.249; 95% confidence interval = [0.191, 0.306]). These results indicate that a varied training program composed of a number of tasks targeted to different cognitive functions can show transfer to a wide range of untrained measures of cognitive performance
Summary
Recent evidence suggests that engaging in cognitively challenging activities can positively impact brain function, with studies demonstrating behavioral [1, 2], physiological [3, 4], and real-world functional [5, 6] gains. New appreciation of the importance of neuroplasticity has led to the development of a variety of cognitive training programs–activities designed to elicit enhancements in cognitive abilities through intensive, targeted mental exercise. Several such programs have been used in research, with promising results for improving cognitive functioning following training reported in most cases [2, 4, 10,11,12,13,14,15,16]; other studies have failed to demonstrate such gains [17, 18]. Other studies have utilized training periods that were too short to generate reliable gains in cognitive performance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
