Brain training using cognitive apps can improve cognitive performance and processing speed in older adults

Bonnechère, Bruno; Klass, Malgorzata; Langley, Christelle; Sahakian, Barbara J. · 2021 · OpenAlex-citations

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91867-z

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Summary

This study addresses the limited evidence regarding the efficacy of Cognitive Mobile Games (CMG) in real-life settings for older adults, particularly those aged 80 and above. While previous research has demonstrated benefits from structured, controlled cognitive training, there is a lack of data on how these interventions perform when used independently without strict guidelines on frequency or duration. Motivated by the global aging population and the rising prevalence of dementia, the authors aimed to evaluate whether CMG usage improves cognitive performance and processing speed across different age groups in a naturalistic context. The researchers analyzed data from 12,000 subjects aged 60 to over 80 years who completed 100 sessions of seven different CMGs. The study design was observational, tracking game scores and processing speed (reaction time) over the course of the sessions. Because training frequency was not imposed, the time required to complete the 100 sessions varied significantly among participants, ranging from a median of 200 days for some games to over 600 days for others. The authors used linear regression and mixed models to adjust for the total duration of training and game difficulty, allowing for a robust comparison of progress across age groups (60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, and ≥80). The results indicated that all participants improved in game scores and processing speed regardless of age. However, baseline scores showed a statistically significant linear decrease with increasing age, reflecting normal age-related cognitive decline. Crucially, the rate of improvement was slower in older participants compared to younger ones, though progress remained significant even in the oldest group (≥80 years). For instance, in games measuring arithmetic ability and visual attention, processing speed improved or stabilized across all age groups. In tasks involving word processing and response control, older adults showed smaller gains in speed but still demonstrated enhanced performance. The study confirmed that the observed improvements were sensitive to age-related changes, validating the games as measures of cognitive function. The findings suggest that cognitive plasticity persists throughout the lifespan, even in very old adults. The study concludes that CMGs can effectively improve cognitive performance and processing speed in real-life use, offering a scalable, non-pharmacological intervention for mitigating age-related cognitive decline. These results support the potential of mobile cognitive training as a tool for maintaining cognitive reserve and delaying functional decline, although the magnitude of benefit may be attenuated in the oldest populations. This adds to the growing body of evidence that lifelong engagement in challenging cognitive tasks can yield measurable benefits, independent of strict clinical supervision.

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• cognitive aging