Computer Brain training games have been around for years. And I'm sure that many people, like me, have enjoyed dabbling with them as a bit of fun.
But now researchers from King's College London have proved that sustained use of these games can measurably improve cognitive function in people over 50, making tasks associated with everyday living easier to manage.
The study, which was funded by the Alzheimer's Society, involved almost 7,000 people aged 50 and above playing reasoning and problem solving games for 10 minutes daily for a period of 6 months.
Improvements in memory, problem solving and reasoning
Results showed significant improvement in reasoning and verbal learning in the participants, which researchers suggest, could have important implications on how well older people can carry out everyday tasks such as navigating public transport, shopping, cooking and managing personal finances.
Feedback on social media sites has varied, with some complaining that to suggest that people in their 50 and 60s, many of whom still work full-time, need brain training games to maintain their mental capacity is insulting.
Prompting further computer brain training research
Surely this is missing the point though. Any research into ways of preventing mental decline as we age should be welcomed, particularly if this could point the way to developing effective ways of preventing the onset of dementia in later life.
“Our research adds to growing evidence that lifestyle interventions may provide a more realistic opportunity to maintain cognitive function, and potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline later in life, particularly in the absence of any drug treatments to prevent dementia.”
Further research is now planned.
Try out a demo of one of the brain-training games
by clicking here to visit the Alzheimer's Society webpage: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/braintraining
For further information about the research study visit King's College London website
