For years, the efficacy of brain-training products has been questioned. However, a groundbreaking, two-decade study offers compelling evidence for a method to protect aging brains. Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions, the ACTIVE study followed over 2,800 older adults.
Participants engaged in different training programs: memory tricks, reasoning, and speed of processing exercises. While memory and reasoning training improved specific skills, only the speed of processing group saw a significant long-term benefit.
Those who underwent this visual training, which involves identifying objects and targets on a screen amidst distractions, experienced a 25% lower risk of developing dementia over 20 years. Experts believe this exercise targets fundamental processing speed, clearing neural pathways that naturally slow with age.
The findings suggest that not all brain games are equal. Focusing on exercises that challenge processing speed and divided attention, rather than just memory or math, appears crucial for sustained cognitive health.