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BrainHQ 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.
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
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)
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