Brain training seen as promising non-pharmacological method to enhance attention in healthy young adults

This brain training app may help you stay focused, says new study (CNN): “Our digital lives make concentration difficult…A group of Cambridge university researchers believes to have developed a “fun” solution to this modern problem. By playing a “brain training” game, called Decoder, players can increase their concentration. In order to test the game’s effect, the research team conducted a study published Monday in the journal Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience. For the study, 75 healthy participants were split into three groups: one that played Decoder, one that played no game at all and another group who played the game Bingo…People who played Decoder for eight hours in one month showed significantly better attention than others who played Bingo or no game at all. The authors say that the difference is comparable to the effects of using stimulants, such as Ritalin — a common medication prescribed as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), characterized by inattentiveness, hyperactivity and impulsiveness… Ashok Jansari, senior lecturer in cognitive neuropsychology at Goldsmiths, University of London said that the research “clearly” shows a benefit of playing Decoder on a“laboratory-based measure of sustained attention.” Jansari was not involved in the research. But, “an important issue that needs to be addressed is how long-lasting these effects are. Does one have to keep playing Decoder to improv...
Source: SharpBrains - Category: Neuroscience Authors: Tags: Cognitive Neuroscience Education & Lifelong Learning Health & Wellness adhd Brain-Training brain-training-app Decoder improve-concentration Neuropsychology non-pharmacological Ritalin Source Type: blogs