PubHawk
September 2022 PMID 34251578

A Game a Day Keeps Cognitive Decline Away? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Commercially-Available Brain Training Programs in Healthy and Cognitively Impaired Older Adults.

Lan Nguyen, Karen Murphy, Glenda Andrews

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Mentions

15
Peak: 4 in Nov 2021
across 4 sources since Nov 2021

Extended reach

42,779
potential audience

Total likes

28

Video views

972

Mentions per month

Nov 2021 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter8 posts
  • News3 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube1 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall tone shows skepticism, with comments like 'Cognitive training doesn't actually work,' and mentions of meta-analyses and failed replications, emphasizing the limited scientific support for these programs. Words like 'breaking news' and phrases questioning 'how many meta-analyses will it take' highlight the ongoing debate and diminishing impact of these claims, reflecting a cautious stance among participants.

AgreementLow agreement

Most discussions express skepticism or disagreement with the idea that brain training programs are beneficial, referencing meta-analyses that show limited or no effectiveness.

InterestModerate interest

There is a moderate level of interest, as participants are engaging with the topic of cognitive training and its validity, but not passionately.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some discussions include questions and mentions of research, indicating a thoughtful but not deeply investigative response.

ImpactNeutral impact

The discussions raise awareness about the controversy and scientific doubts surrounding brain training programs, but do not suggest immediate or widespread change.

Abstract in brief

  • The study reviews 43 research papers on commercial brain training programs for older adults, including both healthy individuals and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and finds small benefits mainly in near-transfer tasks like executive functioning, memory, and processing speed in healthy users.
  • While the programs are popular and potentially entertaining, there is limited evidence supporting their effectiveness in improving overall cognition, real-world functioning, or offering long-distance transfer effects, especially for those with MCI.
  • The findings suggest that more research is needed to determine whether these brain training programs can genuinely help prevent cognitive decline or if their benefits are mostly short-term and limited to specific tasks.]
Read the full abstract

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
ForwardwithDementiaAU
@FWDDementia_AU · X

Watch the latest #ForwardwithDementia webinar with @leefay_low and @LynPhillipson with practical suggestions on how clinicians can help people with dementia and carers access rehabilitation and support after diagnosis. https://t.co/BIwNUrqWfq

Nov 15, 2021 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 427 followers View post →
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

A Game a Day Keeps Cognitive Decline Away? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Commercially-Available Brain Training Programs in Healthy and Cognitively Impaired Older Adults https://t.co/9Bm9kFerNK via @Griffith_Uni researchers https://t.co/xo3g5cG9Zv

Mar 21, 2024 · 5 likes · 32,284 followers View post →
【メタ論文紹介】マスター@YouTuber
@literacychan · X

脳トレゲームはボケ防止に効果ないらしいよ ＜論文の要約＞

Aug 20, 2022 · 1 like · 77 followers View post →
キシリトール博士
@gPHwheahhiTymJl · X

@alfalfaGeinow "「脳トレーニング」は楽しみや娯楽目的には適しているかもしれないが、それらのトレーニングが記憶、一般的認知や日常機能を改善できることを裏付けるエビデンスは現時点では不十分。この研究分野はまだ初期段階にあり、さらなる調査が必要" 系統的レビュー＆メタアナ(2022) https://t.co/2KrsvmYpeG

Jan 11, 2025 · 5,921 followers View post →
Lynda Henderson, born on unceded land.
@YODsupporter · X

RT @FWDDementia_AU: Watch the latest #ForwardwithDementia webinar with @leefay_low and @LynPhillipson with practical suggestions on how cli…

Nov 17, 2021 · 2 shares · 2,476 followers View post →
The Real RCT
@TheRealRCT · X

9/

Jun 27, 2025 · 375 followers View post →

All mentions

The Real RCT
@TheRealRCT · X

9/

Jun 27, 2025 · 375 followers View post →
キシリトール博士
@gPHwheahhiTymJl · X

@alfalfaGeinow "「脳トレーニング」は楽しみや娯楽目的には適しているかもしれないが、それらのトレーニングが記憶、一般的認知や日常機能を改善できることを裏付けるエビデンスは現時点では不十分。この研究分野はまだ初期段階にあり、さらなる調査が必要" 系統的レビュー＆メタアナ(2022) https://t.co/2KrsvmYpeG

Jan 11, 2025 · 5,921 followers View post →
Ash Paul
@pash22 · X

A Game a Day Keeps Cognitive Decline Away? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Commercially-Available Brain Training Programs in Healthy and Cognitively Impaired Older Adults https://t.co/9Bm9kFerNK via @Griffith_Uni researchers https://t.co/xo3g5cG9Zv

Mar 21, 2024 · 5 likes · 32,284 followers View post →
【メタ論文紹介】マスター@YouTuber
@literacychan · X

脳トレゲームはボケ防止に効果ないらしいよ ＜論文の要約＞

Aug 20, 2022 · 1 like · 77 followers View post →
Michael Dougherty
@doughertyorama · X

Breaking news. Cognitive training doesn't actually work. How many meta-analyses and failed replications will it take to correct the literature? https://t.co/GDXMEL78ep

Aug 17, 2022 · 154 followers View post →
medicannastore
@medicannastore · X

ReThinking Support After a Dementia Diagnosis https://t.co/t7L69IoYD7 https://t.co/x5vcy2SFWn https://t.co/hYLjkXQlId

Nov 20, 2021 · 85 followers View post →
Lynda Henderson, born on unceded land.
@YODsupporter · X

RT @FWDDementia_AU: Watch the latest #ForwardwithDementia webinar with @leefay_low and @LynPhillipson with practical suggestions on how cli…

Nov 17, 2021 · 2 shares · 2,476 followers View post →
ForwardwithDementiaAU
@FWDDementia_AU · X

Watch the latest #ForwardwithDementia webinar with @leefay_low and @LynPhillipson with practical suggestions on how clinicians can help people with dementia and carers access rehabilitation and support after diagnosis. https://t.co/BIwNUrqWfq

Nov 15, 2021 · 15 likes · 2 shares · 427 followers View post →