What Is Brain Training, and How Does It Work?

Brain training is a fantastic tool for supporting cognitive health as we all age. Even individuals in high-risk groups, like those who carry the APOE4 gene variant (putting them at risk of developing Alzheimer’s) can experience notable cognitive improvements. Another study diving into the effects of brain training benefits in older adults found that computerised cognitive training resulted in notable improvements after 10 weeks of training, and some benefits even after six months. 

Although taking part in brain training exercises is excellent for helping to improve and support our brain function as we get older, it’s also crucial to remind you that we should all be taking care of our brains throughout our lives. Research has shown that people with higher cognitive reserve indicators (e.g. taking part in stimulating activities, working or keeping busy, and having an education) are all associated with slower cognitive decline. This means that we should all be taking steps to keep our brains busy and learning from a young age, and we will reap the rewards in the years to come in middle and old age.

Which Brain Functions Improve With Brain Training, and Why?

Brain training benefits can vary greatly from one person to another, depending on the kind of brain training done. Generally, functions such as focus and attention, recall, problem-solving, processing speed, and cognitive flexibility are targeted. However, additional weaknesses around reading skills as well as logic and reasoning.

Below are the primary brain functions that can improve with specialised brain training:

• Reading skills
• Auditory processing 
• Visual processing 
• Logic and reasoning
• Memory and recall
• Processing speed
• Attention and focus
• Cognitive flexibility

Our brains are capable of change and can be moulded as we learn and experience new things in our lives. It is this brain plasticity that allows brain training to be beneficial, as neural networks are stimulated and strengthened through different exercises. However, there will be limitations on how much brain training can improve different areas of function based on the baseline level, how much and how consistently brain training is done, and other more holistic factors.

Who Can Benefit Most From Brain Training in the UK?

Although brain training benefits can be enjoyed by anyone who takes part in the exercises, the primary group that will benefit are individuals aged 50 and over who might be experiencing cognitive decline in some areas, and those who are prone to diseases like Alzheimer’s. Anyone who is at risk of losing their cognitive abilities is encouraged to do brain training exercises to slow down and improve them, even if started years after the onset.

Key groups that can benefit from brain training include:

• Adults aged 50 or older – older adults who are likely to experience cognitive decline will benefit from brain training to help strengthen these areas to allow them to enjoy life to the fullest and for longer
• Working professionals – some working professionals may want to engage in brain training to improve any cognitive abilities they think are lacking. This could be to help them be better in their field of work, or as a proactive measure
• Children struggling with some everyday tasks – many children will also benefit from brain training, particularly where there is trouble with focus and concentration

How Long Does it Take to See Benefits From Brain Training?

The time it takes to see the benefits from brain training vary, with some individuals reporting improvements after around six weeks, while it might take 12 weeks or more to see the benefits for others. It largely depends on the type of exercises done, the presence and/or severity of the cognitive impairment, and how frequently brain training takes place. 

Individuals who do brain training exercises every day are likely to see an improvement faster, while those doing them on an ad-hoc basis will take longer. Current studies show us that brain training can offer long-lasting improvements to cognitive function, but more research is required to determine how long these effects can last if the exercises are not continued.

How Do You Get the Most Out of a Brain Training Programme?

Everyone is different, and therefore has different needs. At The Brain Workshop, we cater to everyone, and have been specialised to enhance the fundamental cognitive skills that are essential for everyday life and tasks, with a focus on concentration, reasoning, learning, thinking, and reading. With our no-tutoring approach, we help to train your brain with a personalised one-on-one method to allow us to cater to every person’s unique needs. 

Here at The Brain Workshop, we offer brain training to both adults and children of all ages, with the aim of using our dynamic methods to rapidly improve learning abilities without taking the fun out of it. We are dedicated to turning weaknesses into strengths, and helping everyone achieve their full potential to get the most out of life.

How The Brain Workshop Helps You With Brain Training