Playing online games that challenge reasoning and memory skills – brain training – could have significant benefits for older people in their day to day lives, according to research published in the journal JAMDA.

Researchers at the  Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London have shown that an online brain training package can not only improve memory and reasoning skills – but also how well older people carry out everyday tasks such as navigating public transport, shopping, cooking and managing personal finances.

The impact of a brain training package such as this one could be extremely significant for older adults who are looking for a way to proactively maintain their cognitive health as they age.
Dr Anne Corbett, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at the IoPPN, King’s College London

Previous research has shown some promise for brain training in improving memory, although these small-scale studies have been inconclusive.

This new research, funded by Alzheimer’s Society, is the largest randomised control trial to date of an online brain training package. Involving almost 7,000 adults aged over 50, it is also the first to evaluate the impact of computerised brain training on how well people can perform their daily activities.

Try out the brain training for yourself, with the  demo game.

Dr Anne Corbett from the Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases at the IoPPN, King’s College London, said: ‘The impact of a brain training package such as this one could be extremely significant for older adults who are looking for a way to proactively maintain their cognitive health as they age. The online package could be accessible to large numbers of people, which could also have considerable benefits for public health across the UK.’

Read the full story on the  King’s website.
People over 50 and living in the UK can take part in the new brain training study by  registering online.
Interested in studying at the IoPPN?  Find out more.