Brain Train

 Computerized cognitive training is based on many years of research that show that the brain actually changes its physical structure and chemistry through stimulating mental exercise, and deteriorates through disuse. Just as physical fitness requires regular physical exercise, mental “fitness” can come about through daily mental workouts. Challenging, cognitive training exercises are motivating and game-like, but differ from video games in that they are carefully organized to target specific skills and are never violent. They also provide scores that can indicate progress and help pinpoint an individual’s strengths and weaknesses.  Research has shown that regular use of cognitive training programs which address particular skills such as attention, listening skills, memory, etc., stimulates the areas of the brain that are responsible for these mental functions and helps activate them to bring about lasting change. In other words, computerized cognitive training is similar to neurofeedback, but instead of teaching the individual to change his brainwaves, it activates specific areas of the brain through challenging mental exercise and reinforces learning through external visual and auditory feedback.

If students are not able to pay attention, they cannot learn in school. If they have problems with self-control, they are likely to elicit angry responses from teachers and to be ridiculed by peers. Problems with listening skills can make an intelligent person look stupid. Cognitive training addresses these difficulties and teaches the basic skills that are vital for academic and life success. Since the exercises require repetition and consistency, the computer, which is non-judgmental and never too tired to say “Great Job!” is an ideal “teacher.”

Therapists can incorporate computerized cognitive training into a cognitive behavioral paradigm to help build self-esteem or anger control. For example, a young client who is unsuccessful in school can be given tasks from the Brain Train programs that she can perform, then praised for her ability, so she starts to enjoy the experience of success; seeing that she can do the work and feeling good about learning can help her to overcome habitual learned helplessness. Clients who are impatient and easily frustrated can be given computerized cognitive training exercises that they may not immediately be able to do, triggering anger or frustration; the therapist can then coach them on anger management skills by helping them break the task into more manageable steps. When they complete even a small portion of the task without anger or impatience, the therapist can “catch” them being successful in maintaining self-control, thus reinforcing this good behavior.

As with a musical instrument or athletic endeavor, cognitive training requires regular practice. Using the software at home can greatly enhance therapeutic results. BrainTrain offers economical options that make home use affordable. And since the programs are fun, challenging, yet very simple to use, once a training plan has been created by the software's "Personal Trainer" or by your therapist, many children, when properly motivated, will be able to use and benefit from the programs working on their own - a definite advantage for working parents. With regular use, some results may become apparent in as little as three weeks.

More and more research supports the efficacy of computerized cognitive training with ADHD/ADD, brain injury, and schizophrenia. Based on clinical evidence, it also shows promise in helping people with central auditory processing disorder, autism and other developmental and cognitive disorders.