There continues to be hope that the use of technology can somehow improve the functioning of the brain, perhaps slowing or preventing the onset of dementia. There are many studies, but a recent peer reviewed literature review in a scientific journal shows the effects of “brain training” are unfortunately quite limited: “we find extensive evidence that brain-training interventions improve performance on the trained tasks, less evidence that such interventions improve performance on closely related tasks, and little evidence that training enhances performance on distantly related tasks or that training improves everyday cognitive performance. We also find that many of the published intervention studies had major shortcomings in design or analysis that preclude definitive conclusions about the efficacy of training, and that none of the cited studies conformed to all of the best practices we identify as essential to drawing clear conclusions about the benefits of brain training for everyday activities.
Scientists discuss the controversies and lack of rigorous studies in this article and conclude: “There is some evidence that physical exercise improves cognitive performance. Because heart health is related to brain health, diet is also likely involved. And there is considerable correlational evidence that people who are socially and cognitively engaged in stimulating lives, by working, volunteering or other forms of active learning, are in better shape cognitively than those who are not,” she said. “But there is no evidence for magic bullets.”
“In January, the creator of the brain-gaming company Lumosity agreed to pay $2 million to settle charges from the FTC. The charges alleged that Lumosity deceived consumers with unfounded claims that its games could sharpen thinking in everyday life and protect against cognitive decline. The developers and marketers behind the LearningRx brain-gaming programs settled similar charges in May, paying $200,000.”