Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast, in Northern Ireland, U.K. are studying the value of brain training exercises for older adults with a prototype iPhone application to collect data and test the concept on live users. The Brain Jog app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch is available as a free download from Apple’s iTunes Store.
Queen’s University Ph.D. student Donal O’Brien, who leads the research, says the app “consists of four enjoyable mini games specifically designed to test and improve four areas: spatial ability, memory, mathematical ability and verbal fluency.” The app uses problem solving, puzzles, and reverse arithmetic, which allow users to be challenged and improve their performance with regular practice.
During the initial distribution period, users will be asked to give feedback on their experience of playing the game. Using this information to determine what makes a good puzzle experience, the research team plans to improve and adapt the games to make the puzzles as user-friendly as possible, to maximize the number of people who play on a regular basis.
In the next stage of the project, the researchers hope to track the experience and performance of these long-term players to help clarify the effects of regular brain training on aging minds. Future plans also include a study on dementia prevention using the app.
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