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App Reviews /
BrainHQ Review
Credibility
4.67 / 5.00
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Detailsfor
BrainHQ
Overall Score: 14/15
Consumer Ratings: 1/2
Clarity of Purpose: 2/2
Mechanism of Action: 1/1
Software Updates: 2/2
Clinical Input in Development: 1/1
Research on Development Process: 1/1
Efficacy of Other Products: 1/1
Research Independence and Review: 2/2
Research Base: 3/3
Rating Date: February 2022
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User Experience
4.11 / 5.00
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Engagement: 4.20 Functionality: 3.50 Aesthetics: 4.50 Information: 4.25 Subjective quality score: 3.38 Perceived impact score: 3.50 Rating date: August 2016 Rated by: Queensland University
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Transparency
Unacceptable
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Overall Score: Unacceptable
Does the app have a privacy policy?:Yes
Does the privacy policy describe the information storage and sharing procedures related to user entered information, OR state that user information is stored locally?:Yes
Does the privacy policy state that the app/server encrypts/de-identifies the entered data OR state that user information is stored locally?:No/Can’t Tell
Does the app provide the option of a pin entry or log-in process to view and enter user data?:Yes
Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can use the app WITHOUT entering identifiable information, OR state that user information is stored locally?:No/Can’t Tell
Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can delete entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?:Yes
Does the privacy policy state whether or not users can edit entered information OR state that user information is stored locally?:Yes
Professional Review
Not Yet AvailableBrainHQ is a cognitive training program accessible by computer or mobile app. It aims to improve users’ cognitive performance, such as sharpening attention, enhancing memory, and speeding up thinking. BrainHQ has a number of online exercises that are divided into six categories: Attention, Brain Speed, Memory, People Skills, Intelligence, and Navigation. Each of these categories holds a number of brain exercises that adapt to the users’ skill levels. Users have the flexibility to engage with BrainHQ for as little or as long as they would like. The free version provides access to a core set of exercises, but users must pay $14 USD per month or $96 USD per year to gain full access to the exercises.
Technical Details
Available For: Requires iOS 10.0 or later; Android 6.0 and up; Web
Developer: Posit Science
Type of Treatment: Cognitive Training
Targeted Conditions: Mood Disorders, Schizophrenia, Stress and Anxiety
Target Audience: Adults
Designed to be used in conjunction with a professional? No
Languages Available: English, German, Japanese
Cost: Free with in-app purchases
Get it on: Apple App Store; Google Play; Web
Research on this App
A randomized clinical trial of 76 adults aged 65-75 were assigned to one of the following groups: (1) 16 weeks of Spanish learning using the Duolingo app 30 minutes per day, (2) an equivalent amount of brain training using the BrainHQ app, or (3) a waitlist control condition. Executive function was assessed before and after the intervention. The results showed that only the BrainHQ group showed strong improvement in reaction time for N-back and Simon tests (i.e., processing speed) compared to the Duolingo and control groups. Additionally, BrainHQ and Duolingo provided equivalent benefits on two of the primary measures (incongruent Stroop color naming and 2-back accuracy) compared to a control group. (Meltzer, J. A., Kates Rose, M., Le, A. Y., Spencer, K. A., Goldstein, L., Gubanova, A., … & Bialystok, E., 2021. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13825585.2021.1991262).
A study on a previous version of BrainHQ shows efficacy of six of the exercises in the BrainHQ app. 487 adults who are 65 or older participated in this study. Participants were divided into experimental group and control group. Experimental group participants used the cognitive training program, and control group participants used a general cognitive stimulation program. The results show that compared to participants in control group, participants who participated in the Posit science cognitive training program improve more significantly in auditory memory and attention. (Smith, G. E., Housen, P., Yaffe, K., Ruff, R., Kennison, R. F., Mahncke, H. W., & Zelinski, E. M. 2009. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2008.02167.x)
