Study: Brief Daily Brain Training Improves Cognitive Health
New research suggests that 5 to 10 minutes of daily brain training can significantly improve brain health at any age.
A study by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas Center for Brain Health indicates that 5 to 10 minutes of daily brain training can significantly enhance cognitive health across all age groups. The three-year study, which followed approximately 4,000 participants, was published in the journal Scientific Reports.
The Brain Health Project, launched in 2020, provides participants with education on brain function and lifestyle impacts, cognitive exercises, and optional one-on-one coaching. The project aims to measure the efficacy of such interventions in improving overall brain health.
The exercises are designed to strengthen cognitive abilities rather than being traditional games. One example involves reading a piece of text and filtering out non-essential information. The project also developed the Brain Health Index, which assesses thinking skills, social connectedness, sense of purpose, and emotional balance.
Results showed marked improvements in the Brain Health Index for the majority of active participants, particularly those engaging in daily training. The research challenges the notion of inevitable cognitive decline, suggesting that brain health can be proactively cultivated at any age. Learning new skills, such as playing a musical instrument or a new language, is also cited as beneficial.