12-Week Brain Exercises Lift Seniors' Cognitive Scores by 0.53 Points
Updated
Updated · Nautilus · Aug 10
12-Week Brain Exercises Lift Seniors' Cognitive Scores by 0.53 Points
3 articles · Updated · Nautilus · Aug 10
Summary
More than 100 adults over 59 raised average cognitive scores to 13.26 from 12.73 after 12 weeks of daily mental exercises, with memory recall also improving.
The regimen assigned three 10-minute tasks each day—reading aloud, handwriting and simple math—then measured results with a shortened Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
Researchers said the StrongerMemory program targets the prefrontal cortex by combining multiple cognitive pathways rather than a single type of brain training.
Community-dwelling participants benefited more than seniors in retirement homes, which the study said may restrict independent decision-making, problem-solving and physical activity.
Published in Educational Gerontology, the findings suggest modest but measurable cognitive gains from a free, low-intensity routine for older adults.