Does the Brain Function App Really Work?
You may have heard all the hype that cognitive training apps like Attentio and some multiplayer games can enhance cognitive functionality. These game apps can enhance memory, IQ, and overall executive function capabilities. On the surface, these claims seem persuasive. Who wouldn't want to play video games and improve their overall cognitive clarity? At Attentio, we serve individuals seeking to understand the "why" behind their behaviours with loving support.
Brain Functioning App Claims
The top brain functioning apps openly state that they improve cognitive functioning in the following areas, as every app will have a primary area and a specific claim they seek to achieve.
Memory
Short-term and long-term recall of information/memories.
Attention
To sustain attention, engage, and maintain focus on an activity for an extended period of time.
Speed
The ability to process information in less time.
Flexibility
The ability to quickly switch between thoughts or tasks.
Problem-Solving
The ability to think strategically about and plan a variety of solutions to a particular problem.
Language Skills
Improve written, spoken, and vocabulary skills.
Spatial and Visual Skills
Improve capacity to reason in a spatial form, read maps, and comprehend spatial relationships between objects.
Mathematical Skills
Some games will develop mathematical skills and speed in math calculations.
Debunking Brain Function App
There are a range of reasons that brain function apps appear to be ineffective when compared to other methods, such as learning new languages, exercising, and playing music. Read more to discover what scientific research exists on the use of brain functioning apps, and associated ineffectiveness in the real-world context.
Doesn’t Transfer to Real Life
The effectiveness of brain activity apps is debatable, as some studies suggest these apps may increase the cognitive skills they claim to increase, but some studies indicate the app skills do not transfer to the outside or real world. The games you play in the app may increase your ability to react quickly to whatever the game is asking you to do; however, they may not improve your capacity to multitask at work.
Self-Sponsored Studies
Another point of suspicion as to whether the brain function app is really the method of their research experiment. In experiments, typically, volunteers answer questions after a period of time using the app, and these kinds of questions do require self-narrative reporting. Similarly, the survey questions included in the study included “experimental bias.” Since volunteers were aware that the purpose of the study was to somehow 'improve' on cognitive abilities, their answers could be (most likely will be) nudged toward that confirmation bias. Most of the brain training studies that I reviewed actually have the participants aware of what they are practising, they have an expectancy of what will improve, and what will not improve. Therefore, when they do report an improvement, there may be a bias towards reporting improvement in what they think will improve.
Other Ways to Improve
Even though brain-training apps may seem to modify your skills in the tasks in the app, they provide limited support they provide. In a number of other, superior-designed studies, participants are likely to find that physical exercise, social interaction (relationships), health (medications), and hobbies or passions give roughly equivalent respect to improving general cognitive abilities. Any experience that involves mentally effortful learning of the new experience changes the function of the neural systems involved in those new experiences. New experiences could include learning a different form or piece of music, a new language, a new musical instrument, to get to a different place, a new craft, or even a new physical skill. When an event requires learning, this can facilitate neuroplasticity, which is usually good.
Conclusion
There is, unfortunately, no fast track to the effort it will take to train yourself to realise your potential. Ideally, it would be useful to work with a cognitive therapy therapist, so you can work together to find the best exercises for you to improve your cognitive skills, aspects of attention, memory, concentration, planning, and so on.
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