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CogniFit is a cognitive training program intended to help users improve brain functioning. By playing specially created games, users can address many core cognitive functions, including working memory, visual processing, speed, and attention. The user is prompted to complete an initial 10-minute cognitive assessment, customizable for each user and their goals. Training programs range from targeting dyslexia, insomnia or driving skills. Cognifit allows users to track progress over time and compare scores with those of other users. It is intended to provide diverse programs suited for many users, not just those looking for remediation of cognitive difficulties.
Available for: Requires iOS 11.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. Requires Android 6.0 and up. Available on the Web.
Developer: CogniFit
Type of Treatment: Cognitive Training
Targeted Conditions: Mood Disorders, Stress and Anxiety, Schizophrenia
Target Audience: Not Specified
Designed to be used in conjunction with a professional? No
Languages Available: English, Arabic, Catalan, Dutch, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish
Cost: Free with in-app purchases
Get it on: Apple App Store, Google Play, Web
Thirty-two participants with intellectual developmental disabilities were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 11 participants were in the CogniFit training group, 11 participants were in the control group with video games, and 10 were in the control group of the waiting list or daily activities . Each participant received 10 weeks of training with CogniFit. The group that trained with CogniFit did not show significant improvements compared to the control, but showed trends of improvement.
(Siberski, J., Shatil, E., Siberski, C., Eckroth-Bucher, M., French, A., Horton, S., Loefflad, R.F., & Rouse, P. 2015. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1533317514539376.)
A 2013 pilot randomized clinical trial found that the CogniFit personalized brain training program improved cognitive function in healthy older adults with an average age of 80 years, compared to the other healthy older adult participants who were in one of three control groups: physical activity, combined cognitive training and physical activity, or book club.
(Shatil, E. 2013. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2013.00008/full.)
In a 2010 randomized single-blind controlled proof of concept clinical trial, sedentary seniors were randomly assigned to experimental or control groups. The participants in the experimental group with slow gait and falls improved mobility after 8 weeks of cognitive training remediation using CogniFit personalized brain training program.
(Verghese, J., Mahoney, J., Ambrose, AF., Wang, C., & Holtzer, R. 2010. https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/65A/12/1338/658897.)
Using pairwise matching, patients with depression or bipolar disorder were assigned to either intervention (CogniFit) or control groups. The intervention group received training three times a week for eight weeks. The intervention group showed significantly-reduced depression levels compared to the control groups. The intervention group also displayed significant improvements in Shifting, Divided Attention, and in the Global executive control score.
(Preiss, M., Shatil, E., Čermáková, R., Cimermanová, D. and Ram, I. 2013. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2013.00108/full.)
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