The concept of cognitive training or “brain training” has been a hot topic in recent years. Designed to improve cognitive abilities such as memory, attention span and concentration, many programs and games have claimed to “train” the brain to become smarter and possibly delay the onset of mental decline with age.
However, “aging baby boomers and seniors would be better off going for a hike than sitting down in front of one of the many video games designed to aid the brain,” according to an article in Science Magazine.
Lumos Labs, described as “a leader in the science of brain training” and the developer behind the brain-training app Lumosity, was recently fined $50 million, by the Federal Trade Commission on charges stating it “deceived consumers with unfounded claims” about the cognitive benefits of its online programs. Due to its financial state, Lumos Labs will only pay $2 million to settle these accusations.
Founded in 2005, Lumosity has over 70 million registered users worldwide. For a monthly fee of $14.95, members have access to over 50 online and 25 mobile games, advertised to target and train specific areas of the brain if played three to four times a week for 15 minutes each time.
“Lumosity preyed on consumers’ fears about age-related cognitive decline, suggesting their games could stave off memory loss, dementia and even Alzheimer’s disease,” said Jessica Rich, director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, in a press release. “But Lumosity simply does not have the science to back up its ads.”
According to a statement released by the Stanford University Center on Longevity and the Berlin Max Planck Institute for Human Development in Scientific American, “scientific literature does not support claims that the use of software-based ‘brain games’ alters neural functioning in ways that improve general cognitive performance in everyday life, or prevent cognitive slowing and brain disease.”
While there is no risk in playing brain games, consumers should not expect the cognitive benefits advertised by brain training companies. Adrian Owen, a neuroscientist who holds the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Cognitive Neuroscience and Imaging at the Brain and Mind Institute at Western University, conducted a study to test the effectiveness of brain games at improving cognitive abilities. A research group of 54 adults performed brain training activities testing performance in memory, reasoning, concentration and planning at least three times a week for 15 minutes or more over a period between two and a half and four weeks, according to a CBC News article about brain behavior. The study revealed no significant improvement on any tests.
Consistent findings on brain training research reveal that although it may be fun playing brain games, you might just be getting better at that particular game.
“Playing Sudoku or an online matching game makes you better at the game, but it doesn’t make you better at math or help you remember names or where you left your car keys,” according to Monica Melby-Lervag, Univeristy of Oslo researcher, in a New York Times blog.
Brain games and gamification in corporate learning are fun and effective at encouraging employee engagement; however, in terms of self-improved long-term cognitive abilities, other activities such as physical exercise might be a better option. That said, “cognitive improvements from exercise appear to be modest, but are still greater than any of the small, fleeting gains yet observed in studies of gaming,” said Roberto Cabeza, a neuroscientist at Duke University. “There are also health benefits to exercise that cannot be achieved by sitting at a computer.”
Once listed as one of America’s most promising companies by Forbes in 2013, Lumosity will be compensating customers and offering a way to cancel auto-renewal billing for their service. This includes both online and mobile app subscriptions.
Advances in neuroscience allows us to design learning experiences and performance solutions that align with the way our brains work. Although brain games show no direct improvement in cognitive abilities, it is essential for organizations to understand how the brain processes information and instruction in order to execute effective training solutions for corporate learning.
