Brain training video game may improve processing speed and cognitive function in the elderly

Playing a brain training video game for 4 weeks may lead to improved executive functions and processing speed in the elderly, according to a randomized controlled trial.

Volunteers in Japan were recruited through local newspaper advertisements and assigned to play either Brain Age, a brain training game, or Tetris. All 32 participants, who had a mean age of approximately 69 years, were non-gamers who were not using medications that affected cognitive functions and had no diseases of the central nervous system.

After playing the games for approximately 15 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week for 4 weeks, participants’ cognitive functions were measured and compared with pre-gaming levels.

“Results showed that the effects of the brain training game were transferred to executive functions and to processing speed,” the researchers wrote. “This result indicated that there is a possibility [that] the elderly could improve executive functions and processing speed [with] short-term training.”

Disclosure: Kawashima is the creator of Brain Age. Tohoku University, where Kawashima belongs, has received royalties generated by sales of Brain Age.