Editing BrainTrainingGames

Can we use games such as video games to improve mental performance? In general, scientific studies find that while practising something will make you good at it, getting good at one activity doesn't make you better at other activities. For example, if you play a lot of chess, you will get better at playing chess, but there is not good evidence that playing chess will make you better at other activities like, say, playing bridge or computer programming (See this interesting article in Scientific American on "The Expert Mind" : http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=the-expert-mind ). That means that if we do find scientific evidence that playing some game improves general intelligence, it is a very exciting finding for us. The Mind Hacks and Mind Performance Hacks books both describe evidence that playing first person video games improves certain general mental processes, namely the "attentional blink" and "subitizing". This is a fast moving area of research and every now and then researchers are making new findings suggesting ways that game playing can improve intelligence. Recently, researchers have presented evidence that practicing a particular demanding mental task (called "Dual n-back") increases general intelligence - probably through increasing the capacity of working memory (i.e. the number of things we can hold in our head at one time while thinking). That holds the promise of a way of increasing general intelligence and problem solving ability. == Training with dual n-back == === Programs to train with === The [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/0801268105v1 study] suggests that practicing the dual n-back task for about 30 minutes a day will improve overall intelligence. There are a number of implementations of the dual n-back task that you can use for training. Four of the best are: * [http://www.iddl.vt.edu/~rfentres/dualnback/ Dual n-back Task] - an exact duplicate of the algorithm used in the study by Jaeggi, et al. No distracting bells and whistles. Includes a Flash 6 version that works on Pocket PC (if the device has a keyboard) and Windows Mobile smart phones. * [http://www.soakyourhead.com/ soakyourhead.com] - an implementation of the n-back task which is very close to the original paper * [http://cognitivefun.net/test/5 cognitive fun] - another good implementation of the n-back task. The cognitive fun site has a number of other demanding brain games which are well worth exploring. * [http://brainworkshop.sourceforge.net/ Brainworkshop] - an open source app with lots of options, written in Python * [http://workingmemoryworkout.blogspot.com/ Working Memory Workout] - a feature-heavy open source PC game * [http://brainscale.net/n-back N-Back task online] - an online implementation of the N-Back task with a number of settings. * [http://www.brainexer.com/nback.html BrainExer N-Back] - free online n-back task exercise * [https://www.brainturk.com/dual-n-back BrainTurk N-Back] - free online n-back task The dual n-back task is pretty intense, and it's probably fairer to describe it as an "intense brain workout" than a "game". An interesting twist on the n-back idea is the [http://cognitivefun.net/test/22 3d dual n-back speed run] at cognitivefun.net, which is an attempt at implementing something close to the dual n-back task in the study, but made into a much more compelling computer game format. For iPhone/iPod Touch users, check out the "IQ Boost" application, which is a reasonably faithful implementation of the original task. === Other n-back programs === * [http://pithyless.com/blog/2008/05/18/ Pithyless - another n-back implementation] * [http://zarat.us/tra/online-games/brain-beat.html brain-beat] - a well presented implementation of single and dual n-back * [http://pithyless.com/blog/2008/05/18/hback-haskell-n-back-memory-game/ "hback" - another program aiming to implement dual n-back as described in the paper] * [http://www.efrac.com/iq/ IQ by EFRAC] - an implementation of Dual N-Back for Java-enabled mobile phones. === Press coverage === * [http://www.sciencentral.com/video/2008/12/31/brain-boot-camp-makes-you-smarter/ Brain boot camp makes you smarter] - Article from Science Central with a video featuring the authors of the dual n-back study * [http://www.publicradio.org/tools/media/player/start/00:28:07/end/00:52:31/kpcc/news/shows/airtalk/2008/05/20080505_airtalk2.ram Radio interview with Suzanne Jaeggi, one of the authors of the dual n-back study] * [http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13786-simple-brain-exercise-can-boost-iq.html New Scientist - simple brain exercise can boost IQ] * [http://discovermagazine.com/2009/the-brain/24-which-brain-games-will-help-you-the-most Which brain games will help you the most?] - from Discover magazine See WorkingMemoryTraining for further scientific background == Other brain training and mental calculation games online == * [http://www.mybraintraining.com/ mybraintraining.com] scientifically proven cognitive brain trainer, includes 30 exercises for brain activation which were executed during the development of the successful "Train your Brain with Dr. Kawashima" program cooperating with the Industry University Research Project with Professor Dr. Kawashima * [http://www.mybraintraining.com/professional/ mybraintraining Professional] the scientifically proven cognitive training for use by physicians, therapists and hospitals - functionality comparable to COGPACK® * [http://www.brainexer.com/ www.brainexer.com] - free online brain training exercises * [http://www.mybraintrainer.com/ mybraintrainer.com] - commercial brain training games site * [http://linserver.cs.tamu.edu/~mmiller/RSF/ Space Fortress] - a brain training game with a long history. The online game [http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/media/star_castle/star_castle.shtml Star Castle] may resemble it. Available online at [https://www.brainturk.com/space-fortress brainturk] * [http://neuro-nation.com/ NeuroNation] - a great site with a variety of brain games (completely free) * [http://neuronation.de/ NeuroNation (German)] updated version of NeuroNation, unfortunately only in German. * [http://cognitivelabs.com/ CognitiveLabs] - a site with a lot of interesting stuff * [http://www.fitbrains.com/ Fitbrains.com] - a slick site with lots of games (NOT all free) * [http://www.gamesforthebrain.com/ gamesforthebrain.com] * [http://braingymmer.com braingymmer.com] * [http://www.scilearn.com/ scilearn.com] - publishes the "Fast ForWord" reading training software. See a summary of a [http://www.evidencebasedprograms.org/Default.aspx?tabid=147 study] of the effectiveness of this, suggesting no significant gains, and the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_ForWord Wikipedia article on Fast ForWord] * [http://www.jimmyr.com/blog/Speed_Math_Trainer_Program_126_2006.php Speed math trainer] - a good online game for rapid fire drilling of mental arithmetic * [http://members.cox.net/beagenius/workout.html Grey Matters mental gym] - lots of online games * [http://live.gnome.org/gbrainy/ gbrainy] - Free, open source game software that claims to improve your intelligence. Cf. Brain Age. * [http://www.memorise.org/memoryGym.htm Memorise.org memory gym] * [http://surpriseyourself.timesonline.co.uk/ TimesOnline.co.uk] - some simple but slick Nintendo-style online brain training games * [http://www.matica.com/free-flash-games/2/Brain-Gym.html Matica.com brain gym] - free flash games * [http://www.happy-neuron.com/ Happy Neuron] - site with lots of games, generally need paying for but with free trials * [http://www.brainready.com/brainflex/brainflex_games/ Games at brainready.com] * [http://www.crealude.net/ crealude.net] * [http://www.teach-the-brain.org/learn/index.htm Learning tools at teach-the-brain.org] * [http://www.find-schools-online.com/blog/2008/100-web-games-tools-to-stretch-your-mind-without-moving-a-muscle/ 100 web games and tools to stretch your mind without moving a muscle] - at find-schools-online.com * [http://brainist.com/ brainist.com] - lots of brain games * [http://bjornson.inhb.de/?cat=15 A mental rotation game] * [http://www.braindash.com/index.php?frc=1 braindash.com] - various brain games at a slick site * [http://www.foxythinking.com/ foxythinking.com] * [http://playwithyourmind.com/ playwithyourmind.com] * [http://www.brainarena.com/ BrainArena.com] * [http://www.smart-kit.com/ Smart kit] - puzzle site, also has blog with interesting posts on research * [http://codebreaker.creativitygames.net Mastermind] - good for practicing logic and deduction. * [http://www.neuroarcade.com/ NeuroArcade.com] * [http://www.brainturk.com/ www.brainturk.com] - Lots of games like nback, complex working memory , revised space fortress(NOT all free). For facebook users, check out the "Who has the biggest brain" application. == Brain training and mental health == * [http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/09/03/the-future-of-computerized-cognitive-therapy/ The future of computerized cognitive therapy] at Sharpbrains.com - maybe computer training can improve your mental health as well as making you smarter.... * [http://vgresearcher.wordpress.com/2009/01/09/using-tetris-as-a-potential-treatment-for-ptsd-holmes-et-al-2009/ Using Tetris as a potential treatment for PTSD] == Training processing speed == * [http://www.lumosity.com/info/science/processing_speed Brain Processing Speed] at Lumosity.com * [http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6WB6-4K223XH-6&_user=10&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=04791033496d394b12dfb3a0c0d3a1af Development and evaluation of home-based speed-of-processing training for older adults] * [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/hfes/hf/2003/00000045/00000002/art00004 Speed-of-Processing and Driving Simulator Training Result in Improved Driving Performance] * [http://psychsoc.gerontologyjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/62/suppl_Special_Issue_1/19 The Impact of Speed of Processing Training on Cognitive and Everyday Functions] * [http://content.karger.com/produktedb/produkte.asp?typ=fulltext&file=ger48329 Transfer of a Speed of Processing Intervention to Near and Far Cognitive Functions] * [http://www.physorg.com/news153501936.html Improving Brain Processing Speed Helps Memory] - physorg.com, commenting on [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/122189596/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 this study] == Brain training effects of traditional videogames == * [http://www.springerlink.com/content/b15001368574w865/ Cheyney] - Mom, let me play more computer games: they improve my mental rotation skills * [http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2008/08/18/video-game-playing-associated-with-surgery-skills/ Video game playing associated with surgery skills] * [http://www.physorg.com/news148193174.html Strategic video game improves critical cognitive skills in older adults] - play Rise of Nations and get smarter. At least, it works for old folks! * [https://www.psych.uiuc.edu/reprints/index.php?page=request_article&site_id=1&article_id=1464 Boot, W. R., Kramer, A. F., Simons, D. J., Fabiani, M., Gratton, G. (in press). The effects of video game playing on attention, memory, and executive control] * [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15877981?dopt=Abstract The effects of action video game experience on the time course of inhibition of return and the efficiency of visual search] * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7967381.stm Video games 'can improve vision'] == Brain training effects of traditional board games == * [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/rowangroup/documents/cisccon/gobet.ppt Powerpoint presentation on effects of Chess playing] * [http://www.quadcitychess.com/benefits_of_chess.html Various resources on chess] * [http://www.psmcd.net/otherfiles/BenefitsOfChessInEdScreen2.pdf The benefits of Chess in Education] == Training attention == * [http://www.bcs.rochester.edu/people/daphne/GreenandBavelier.pdf Green & Bavelier 2003] - describes a brain training game successfully used to train attention * [http://www.sacklerinstitute.org/cornell/people/bruce.mccandliss/publications/publications/Tamm.etal.inpress.pdf Can attention itself be trained?] * [http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/10/18/training-attention-and-emotional-self-regulation-interview-with-michael-posner/ Interview about training attention at SharpBrains] == Other relevant links == * [http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=brain-trainers Brain trainers] - review of several brain training games at Scientific American * [http://www.braintraining101.com/ braintraining101.com] * [http://ezinearticles.com/?Brain-Training-to-Improve-Driving-Skills-Using-Video-Games,-For-Teenagers-and-Older-Adults&id=1083788 Brain training to improve driving skills using video games] - discusses training the "useful field of view" * [http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2006/11/02/cognitive-simulations-for-basketball-game-intelligence-interview-with-prof-daniel-gopher/ Cognitive training for basketball game intelligence] (interview) * [http://www.aboutworkingmemory.com/index.php aboutworkingmemory.com] - an interesting commercial site * [http://www.mindresearch.net/index.html Mind Research Institute] - a not for profit organisation producing brain games - it appears to be mainly for kids learning math, music, etc. Site includes demo games. * [http://cognitivefun.net/resource Cognitive Fun - resources] * [http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/04/smart_software?showAllComments=true Article in Wired magazine] * [http://www.sharpbrains.com/ sharpbrains.com] - a site on brain fitness, including a regularly updated blog * [http://www.socyberty.com/Psychology/10-Top-Websites-for-Brain-Training.57085 "10 top websites for brain training"] * [http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/110192.php Article in Medical News Today] * [http://www.portfolio.com/interactive-features/2008/06/Brain-Age Article at portfolio.com with a "brain age" reaction time game] * [http://www.touchgenerations.com/enGB/games_DS_TGP/more_brain_training/how_does_it_work.php How does it work] - the science behind Nintento brain training's purported benefits * [http://groups.google.com/group/brain-training?lnk=srg Brain training google group] * [http://www.mindhacks.com/blog/2008/07/juggling_can_change_.html Juggling can change brain structure within 7 days] * [http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/2.05/tetris.html This is your brain on Tetris] - Wired.com * [http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/health/healthspecial2/15brain.html?em Preschool program improves cognitive control] ... and perhaps brain training games can even make your kids behave * [http://www.inventorsdigest.com/8_08/videoGames.aspx article at InventorsDigest] * [http://www.braintrain.com/ braintrain.com] * [http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S26Kk-ueWjQ YouTube video] - NASA video game brain training for ADHD * [http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/01/22/43938/brain-training-bug-may-soon-bite-the-corporate-bottom.html Article from Personneltoday] - brain training bug may soon bite the corporate bottom line * [http://www.wired.com/gaming/gamingreviews/commentary/games/2006/03/70487 Wired magazine commentary] - Games without frontiers * [http://www.e-mindfitness.com/ e-mindfitness.com] - publishers of "MindFit" * [http://www.helpingkidsshine.com/WMT.html Page on working memory training at helpingkidsshine.com] * [http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2008/12/28/are-videogames-good-for-you-arthur-kramer-posits/ Sharp Brains post] - are video games good for you? Depends who you are! * [http://vgresearcher.wordpress.com/ VGResearcher] - a blog on videogames and psychology * [http://scienceblogs.com/developingintelligence/2008/06/in_a_recent_issue_of.php Blog post] on training various aspects of executive function * [http://scienceblogs.com/developingintelligence/2008/12/how_2_hours_of_training_can_en.php How two hours of training can make multitasking more efficient] - blog post at developing intelligence * [http://scienceblogs.com/developingintelligence/2009/01/do_inhibitory_skills_improve_w.php Do inhibitory skills improve with practice?] - Blog post from Developing Intelligence * [http://www.sharpbrains.com/blog/2009/01/06/neuroactive-bike-at-lady-of-america-fitness-centers/ Neuroactive bike] - combining mental and PhysicalExercise * [http://vgresearcher.wordpress.com/2009/01/07/violent-vs-non-violent-video-game-on-cog-perfor-2009/ Violent vs non violent video games' improvement on cognitive performance] * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7635404.stm Computer game boosts maths scores] - news article on study suggesting that Nintendo Brain Age can improve mathematics ability in children * [http://www.seriousgames.org/ Seriousgames.org] * [http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/health/Mental-Training-Programs.php Lobes of steel] - review of brain training games from bestlifeonline.com * [http://glsconference.org/2008/session.html?id=155 What It Means To Rock?: A Cognitive Analysis of Expertise in Guitar Hero II] * [http://go.editlib.org/p/28707 Movement based learning: an analysis of Dance Dance Revolution] * [http://www.slideshare.net/LearningWithoutFrontiers/paul-pivec-does-game-based-learning-really-exist Does game based learning really exist?] - slideshow * [http://increase-memory-power.com/ increase your memory power] Discover Proven Tips That Boost Your Brain Power and Sharpen Your Memory. == Scientific background == * [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19015506 Minear & Shah] - training and transfer effects in task switching * [http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/288/18/2271 Effects of cognitive training interventions for older adults] - about the ACTIVE study - a key study on older adults * [http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/296/23/2805 Long-term Effects of Cognitive Training on Everyday Functional Outcomes in Older Adults] - another paper on the ACTIVE study * [http://www.fas.org/irp/agency/dod/jason/human.pdf Human performance] - a very interesting report on ways of enhancing human performance from the US Military, including a section on brain training * [http://psychology.gatech.edu/renglelab/ Georgia Institute of Technology Attention and Working Memory Lab] - lots of papers * [http://www.neurobics.com/ neurobics.com] - ideas for exercising the brain * [http://www.psychologicalscience.org/journals/ps/19_9_inpress/Persson.pdf Research article arguing that training working memory can train a skill called "interference resolution"]. See [http://scienceblogs.com/developingintelligence/2008/10/training_the_mind_transfer_acr.php this blog post] for comment. * [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14699419 Olesen, Westerberg & Klingberg 2004] - Increased prefrontal and parietal activity after training working memory * [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16079245?ordinalpos=8&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum Sayala, Sala & Courtney] - Increased neural efficiency with repeated performance of a working memory task is information-type dependent * [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/desc/2009/00000012/00000001/art00015 Training and transfer effects of executive functions in preschool children] * [http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=2732942 Accelerated training : the use of faster-than-realtime speeds can reduce the time-to-skill factor in simulator training] * [http://www.physorg.com/news130862416.html Video games can make us creative if spark is right] * [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090206081507.htm Cognitive training can alter biochemistry of the brain] - Sciencedaily * [http://sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/323/5915/800 Changes in Cortical Dopamine D1 Receptor Binding Associated with Cognitive Training] - the study showing cognitive training can alter brain biochemistry * - [http://science-mag.aaas.org/cgi/content/full/323/5915/800/DC2 Podcast interview on above study] * - [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/data/323/5915/800/DC1/1 Supporting online material from above study] * [http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090211161932.htm Computer Exercises Improve Memory And Attention, Study Suggests] * [http://pppjj.usm.my/mojit/articles/V1N2-final/MOJIT-Khairul.htm The Improvement of Mental Rotation through Computer Based Multimedia Tutor] * www.ed.mtu.edu/spatial2008/presentations/Fitz hughMorrison.ppt Powerpoint presentation comparing different training strategies (remove space from link to make it work) * [http://www.spatialintelligence.org/ spatialintelligence.org] * [http://seriousgames.ning.com/ seriousgames.ning.com] * [http://www.temple.edu/psychology/newcombe/documents/Wrightetal.pdf Training generalised spatial skills] - Wright et al * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_fitness Wikipedia article on brain fitness] * [http://www.smw.ch/docs/PdfContent/smw-12852.pdf Improving intelligence - a literature review] == Relevant books == * [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1592401104?v=glance&n=283155 The Wisdom Paradox: How Your Mind Can Grow Stronger As Your Brain Grows Older] - by Elkhonon Goldberg * [http://www.amazon.com/Overflowing-Brain-Information-Overload-Working/dp/0195372883 The overflowing brain: information overload and the limits of working memory] See also: BrainBooks == Open questions == Here are some open questions for development: * Can we find any more research evidence in this area? * Is there evidence that the "brain training" programs that have been popularised by Nintendo and others recently really work? * What other memory and brain training software is available? Which is the best? == See also == * ImprovingIntelligence * MasteringSkills - principles of mastering skills, which can be applied to brain training games * LearningMusic - there is some evidence that music training may enhance IQ * ArtsTraining * MindPerformanceHacks/ImproveVisualAttentionThroughVideoGames * MindPerformanceHacks/PlayBoardGames * BrainBlogs * MemoryTraining * WorkingMemoryTraining * BrainTrainingScience * BrainTrainingIdeas == Comments == Apparently, this online game implements the n-back task: http://cognitivefun.net/test/5 -- ["Ron Hale-Evans"] [[DateTime(2008-05-09T14:22:39Z)]] Thanks Ron - this looks like exactly what I was after. ThufirHawat.

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