New Research on Benefits of Brain Exercises

Strain your brain and stay sharp, study shows

“Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have found those who don’t engage in complex mental activity during their lifetime have twice the shrinkage in a key part of the brain once they hit old age…”

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6 Responses to “New Research on Benefits of Brain Exercises”

  1. Shaun Luttin says:

    Hi there Martin:

    ULTIMATE GOAL = MENSA MEMBERSHIP.

    On Wed 16 July 2008 I took the WAIS-III IQ test. It was administered by Dr. John Vavrik, Phd., R. Psych. He intends to report on my score in one week.

    Today I purchased your Mind Evolve IQ training program, then I carried out session one. My n-back average score for the first session was 2.45. I found it very challenging.

    My ultimate goal is to get into MENSA, and a good action would be to complete the 20 sessions of your training program and then take the WAIS-III again. That feels overwhelming, so in that direction the…

    IMMEDIATE GOAL = Turn on my home computer and open IQ Training once this weekend. That is all.

    I intend to check back in later, let you know the outcome of my goal, to tell you what I learned, and to decide upon a next step.

    Thanks!
    Shaun Luttin

  2. admin says:

    Hello, Shaun.

    I found the first few sessions a little bewildering (my first mean n score was 2.3). So I’d say you’re off to a fine start.

    Best of luck and keep at it,
    Martin

  3. Shaun Luttin says:

    Hi there Martin:

    Immediate goal. Done. I did three more training sessions:

    Day 1 – 2.45
    Day 2 – 2.75
    Day 3 – 3.02
    Day 4 – 3.20

    As I said, my pretest was the WAIS-III (I took it last Wed); unfortunately, I I haven’t chosen a post-test yet (to do after 19 days training). I read the article which your training is based on (Jaeggi et al, 2008). I learned that the post-test must be different enough from the pretest to avoid task-specific practice effects, but it also must be similar enough to the pretest to ensure it tests the same construct. That means that it would be inappropriate to use the same version of the WAIS-III as my post-test. So, I am open to advice and suggestions. What would be an appropriate fluid intelligence post-test?

    ULTIMATE GOAL = MENSA MEMBERSHIP.

    IMMEDIATE GOAL = Turn on my computer and open the IQ training program one time in the next two days. That is all.

    I intend to check back in later, let you know the outcome of my goal, to tell you what I learned, and to decide upon a next step.

    Thanks,
    Shaun Luttin.

  4. martin says:

    Hello again, Shaun.

    Your improving scores are right on track with those measured in Jaeggi and Buschkuehl’s study. Good for you.

    (btw, one new tip I have is not to be shy about using the “Cancel Block” option if you lose focus in the middle of a block. I do that regularly so that I can recenter. I find that if I just carry on after I’ve lost focus I’m not gaining anything.)

    Does the WAIS-III permit you to retake with a new set of questions? That may be the best option.

    Alternatively, with the mainstream tests you can usually find out how to convert scores from one test to another. Here are the tests recognized by Mensa with the top 2% scores:

    * Cattell III B – 148
    * Culture Fair – 132
    * Ravens Advanced Matrices – 135
    * Ravens Standard Matrices – 131
    * Wechsler Scales – 132

    I would NOT recommend the Ravens tests unless you enjoy doing visual tests, since these are only visual.

    Martin

  5. Shaun Luttin says:

    Hi there Martin:

    Immediate goal. Done. I have now done the first five sessions.

    Day 1 – 2.45
    Day 2 – 2.75
    Day 3 – 3.02
    Day 4 – 3.20
    Day 5 – 3.20

    I’m going to take your suggestion about the Wechsler Scales; that is, I’m going to look into whether or not there are two versions. If there are both a test A and a test B then that would work well enough.

    I already took your suggestion about canceling a block when I felt lost. I felt like I was taking care of myself by doing that.

    Thanks for the continuing support and encouragement! As you have probably become used to:

    ULTIMATE GOAL = MENSA MEMBERSHIP

    IMMEDIATE GOAL =

    (1) Take two days respite from n-back training, because this is what participants did in the Jaeggi and Buschkuehl’s study.

    (2) On Fri 25 Jul turn on my computer and open the IQ training program. That is all.

    In doubt, commitment, & experimental curiosity,
    Shaun.

  6. michaelslogan says:

    Hi Martin and Shaun,

    Damn, I did not take a pre-test, and I think my post test will be staying 1/2 stride or so ahead of my 10 year old. My scores have been up and down, I intend to just keep practicing, forever. Frazzled Dad Mike Logan

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