Temasek Polytechnic launches brain training games in an app for older adults.

 

Exercise your brain with MindWorks, a set of brain training games in an app for older adults. These games were developed after two years by researchers and students from Temasek Polytechnic’s (TP) Centre for Applied Gerontology and Schools of Informatics & IT and Engineering, in collaboration with neuroscientist Professor Ryuta Kawashima from Tohoku University, Japan.

There are six games in the app which involve memory, attention, logic and arithmetic calculation. According to TP, “Through our research and testing, the results have shown that these games could activate the brain’s prefrontal areas of older adults during gameplay.” The prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the brain is responsible for executive functions such as decision-making and problem-solving. Studies have shown that activation of the PFC could potentially improve cognitive performance and function.

Upon completion of each game, the player will get feedback on his or her performance through comparison with other players’ scores in the same age group. TP explained that on-going research will be conducted to validate the cognitive effects of these games in improving cognitive abilities for daily life activities in older adults. The games on MindWorks are recommended to be played daily.

Reading aloud and doing math calculations are good ways to improve cognitive function, shared Professor Kawashima at today’s eng.age Ageing Symposium 2017, who also emphasised that if individuals don’t use their brain, they’ll lose it.

The app currently is available for download on Android mobile on Google Play HERE.

 

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