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DynamicBrain Inc.
Tuesday September 14, 2021
Researchers at New York University published a study among patients with cognitive deficits from Traumatic Brain Injuries showing that neuroplasticity-based computerized brain training can significantly improve objective and subjective measures of cognitive performance in patients with mild, moderate, or severe TBIs, who have persistent cognitive issues years after their injuries occurred. The researchers used the cognitive training exercises found in the brain fitness app BrainHQ from Posit Science, provided in Canada by their Canadian partner DynamicBrain Inc.
In their report in the journal Neurorehabilitation, the researchers note that approximately 5.3 million Americans currently live with a chronic disability as a result of a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Cognitive deficits are a signature symptom of TBIs and can constrain employment options and the ability to perform everyday functions. The most common cognitive deficits are in speed of processing, attention, and working memory.
The 48-person study included 27 patients with severe TBI, 15 patients with moderate TBI, and five patients with mild TBI. They had symptoms that had persisted for more than 8 years, on average, since their brain injuries. Participants were 52 percent male, 69 percent white, and average age of 44. They were randomized into a control group and an intervention group, which was asked to engage in a total of 40 hours of computerized auditory exercises over a 13-week period.
The researchers found the brain training intervention group had significant improvements in standard objective measures of verbal attention and working memory, as well as speed of processing. In addition, the brain training participants showed improvements in standard subjective measures of their own cognitive abilities in everyday tasks.
“This study represents a significant advance because it shows gains in both objective and self-report measures,” said Dr. Henry Mahncke, Posit Science CEO. “That means that the researchers not only saw significant improvements in cognitive performance – but also that those gains were noticeable and significant to the study participants themselves. This certainly adds momentum to moving this type of training into clinical practice with appropriate clinical guidelines.”
Last month, Dr. Mahncke was the lead author of the 83-person, four-year BRAVE Study published in the journal Brain among mild TBI patients at five military and Veterans’ medical centers, which found the intervention group using BrainHQ exercises had statistically and clinically significant improvements in overall cognition as compared to a video games control group. That was the first multi-site randomized controlled trial to show a scalable intervention to address cognitive deficits from mild TBI, building on what was learned in four prior studies.
There are more than 100 published studies of the exercises in BrainHQ which have shown benefits, including gains in standard measures of cognition (attention, speed, memory, executive function), in standard measures of quality of life (mood, confidence and control, managing stress, health-related quality of life) and in real world activities (gait, balance, driving, work). BrainHQ is now offered in the US, without charge, as a benefit by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans and by hundreds of clinics and communities. In Canada, it is offered by the Quebec Federation of Alzheimer Societies and numerous health institutions, rehab, hearing and vision centres. Consumers can also try BrainHQ for free at https://dynamicbrain.brainhq.com.
About Posit Science
Posit Science is the leading provider of clinically proven brain fitness training. Its exercises, available in Canada in English at dynamicbrain.brainhq.com and in French globally at dynamicbrain-fr.brainhq.com, have been shown to significantly improve brain speed, attention, memory and numerous standard measures of quality of life in multiple studies published in more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in leading science and medical journals. Three public television documentaries as well as numerous stories on news programs, in national magazines, and in major newspapers have featured Posit Science’s work. The company’s science team is led by renowned neuroscientist Michael Merzenich, PhD.
About DynamicBrain
DynamicBrain is the Canadian partner of Posit Science, providing Canadians and French-speaking people around the globe with brain training and cognitive exercises that are backed by strong science, and improve a person’s quality of life through six key pillars: Attention, Memory, Brain Speed, Navigation, People Skills, and Intelligence (dynamicbrain.brainhq.com and dynamicbrain-fr.brainhq.com). DynamicBrain is passionate about health and new forms of cognitive training with a clear focus on educating the public on the vital importance of improving brain fitness as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. (www.DynamicBrain.ca)
Contact
DynamicBrain Inc.
Frieda Fanni
frieda.fanni@dynamicbrain.ca
