Well, in this topic...I just got my Brain in the News newsletter from dana.org--anyone can subscribe for free--and they reprinted an article from the Wall Street Journal that summarizes the research with the conclusion we've reached on the list. But here it is anyway: Study Finds Mental Exercise Offers Brain Limited Benefits http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703763904575196400381395576.html?KEYWORDS=gautam+naik "Our brain-training groups got better at the tests they practiced, and the more they practiced, the better they got. But there was no translation to any improvements in general cognitive function," said study co-author Jessica Grahn..
Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. Professor, Psychological Sciences University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ________________________________ From: Michael Britt [[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 6:56 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] Research on the so-called "Brain Training" games As usual Annette, we're on the same page. Even as I wrote "...I suppose they're harmless..." it occurred to me that if people spend time trying to get their aging parent to play these "brain games" in the belief that this will improve their cognitive abilities and this does not happen, then the harm has been in the time lost pursuing a losing strategy and certainly people should know that at this point there is no support for the efficacy of these games. The article by Owen et. al concludes as you do below: "in our view these results provide no evidence to support the widely held belief that the regular use of computerized brain trainers improves general cognitive functioning in healthy participants beyond those tasks that are actually being trained." Michael Britt [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> http://www.thepsychfiles.com<http://www.thepsychfiles.com/> Twitter: mbritt On Jul 6, 2010, at 9:22 AM, Annette Taylor wrote: I have a very strong personal dislike for things that are "harmless" and so people need not worry about there. They are always "harmful" IMHO, even if people conclude they are harmless, because of opportunity cost. While people are frittering away their time and money on something they could have been spending it on something that works for them. Now, having said that, I think the point of the research on "brain games" as people age is that the skills don't transfer. So, if you get good at keeping your brain busy with crossword puzzles, well, that's what you're good at; but you might not be any better at remembering to buy eggs next time you go to the grocery store, or give your cat his antibiotics (yeah, I've been forgetting both of those lately :( So, I think more research is needed. Actually, since the primary complaint as people get older is that the get forgetful, and I concur, as I'm getting older I'm much more forgetful, then, I'd like to see specifically if games that teach memories strategies and skills will transfer to everyday behavior. But whether they will increase all cognitive domains....well, I think the literature so far does not support that. I admit I don't read everything that comes my way to be sure about that. Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. Professor, Psychological Sciences University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> ________________________________ From: Michael Britt [[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2010 5:43 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: [tips] Research on the so-called "Brain Training" games In an upcoming episode of my podcast I plan to review the recent article in Nature magazine ("Putting Brain Training to the Test"). I'd like to cover more than one article if possible. I'll be doing some research to find others but if anyone knows of research that has evaluated the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of these games please let me know. There's a ton of these games out there and I suppose they're harmless in some respects but if indeed they really don't contribute to improving cognitive functioning then we really need to get the word out. Thanks, Michael Michael Britt [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> http://www.thepsychfiles.com<http://www.thepsychfiles.com/> Twitter: mbritt --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13534.4204dc3a11678c6b1d0be57cfe0a21b0&n=T&l=tips&o=3459 or send a blank email to leave-3459-13534.4204dc3a11678c6b1d0be57cfe0a2...@fsulist.frostburg.edu<mailto:leave-3459-13534.4204dc3a11678c6b1d0be57cfe0a2...@fsulist.frostburg.edu> --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. 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