The sad reality is that your mental faculties tend to decline as you age. However, more research is being carried out on preserving and improving our cognitive health. According to the research published in the journal Heliyon, one easy way to do this is by playing brain games.
In this article, we will examine the truth behind this claim of the effectiveness of brain games in preserving your cognitive functions.
How Was The Study Conducted?
Brain games are games that you need logic and a lot of thinking to solve. In this study, researchers set out to assess the impact brain games can have on older adults. They did this by looking at different types of games and how they influence memory and concentration.
The study involved older and younger adults who were expected to play various digital games they would normally play in real life. As such, a wide selection of games was tested, with participants also completing digital experiments that involved memorizing images while they were distracted.
What Were The Study’s Findings?
Based on the findings, digital puzzle games seem to top the list in terms of improving memory and concentration. The study revealed that adults ages 60 and upwards who played digital puzzle games were better at ignoring irrelevant distractions and had better memory in the assessments than adults who played digital strategy games.
Joe Cutting, Ph.D., the study’s co-author, said puzzle games for older people had a surprising ability to support mental abilities to the extent that memory and concentration levels were similar to that of 20-year-olds who had not played puzzle games.
What To Do About It?
Following this study, researchers said future studies should examine why different games have different effects as we age. Fiona McNab, Ph.D., study co-author, said that it seems to be the strategy elements of the game, such as planning and problem-solving, that stimulate better attention and memory in young people. However, she also said this effect is not seen in older adults, and more research is needed to understand why this happens.
Until this research is available, brain puzzle games could be an advantageous hobby for older populations to develop. If you want further cognitive support as you age, consider brain-supporting supplements with research-backed ingredients proven to promote your brain power.
Conclusion
There’s no doubt that your brain is going to change as you get older. However, incorporating a fun digital puzzle game into your routine can assist you in honing your memory and concentration, no matter how old you get.
