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DynamicBrain Inc.
Tuesday December 1, 2020
A newly-published systematic review and meta-analysis identifies the training activities that have been shown to be effective in improving safety among older drivers. The researchers found that computerized brain exercise training found exclusively in BrainHQ from Posit Science, provided in Canada by their Canadian partner DynamicBrain, had significant benefits to older drivers’ safety.
There are now about 49 million drivers over age 65 in North America. They are second only to newly-licensed drivers in crash rate, and drivers aged 75 and older have the highest death rate due to crashes. There are many different types of interventions deployed to assist older drivers.
The review, published in the journal Accident Analysis and Prevention, evaluated the effects of a variety of interventions on driving performance and auto crash risk. Surprisingly, many of the most commonly-used types of interventions were simply not effective. In particular, classroom or web-delivered lectures on road rules or driving, in-car demonstrations that teach driver and hand positioning, simulator-based training, and on-road training had no significant effect.
The reviewers found only skill-specific interventions – including cognitive training, visual-perceptual training, and physical training - had significant impact on older driver performance.
The reviewers noted that only the speed-of-processing cognitive training (now found exclusively in BrainHQ) significantly reduced at-fault crashes. Other studies of the BrainHQ training also were cited.
The speed of processing training in BrainHQ progressively challenges users to see things more quickly and with greater accuracy. Such improvements result in more reaction time and a wider field of view (as the brain processes more information at greater speed).
“Older drivers have a lot of experience – they haven’t forgotten how to drive,” said Posit Science CEO Dr. Henry Mahncke. “Giving them drivers education classes again doesn’t help much. The science shows what’s effective is training the brain to be faster and more accurate.”
Independent studies of BrainHQ have shown many positive results for older drivers, including: 38% fewer dangerous driving maneuvers, faster reaction time (equivalent to 22 feet more stopping distance at 55 mph/88 km/h), greater confidence driving in difficult conditions, 48% fewer at-fault crashes, 30% lower overall crash incidence, and maintaining safe driving later in life.
Drivers insured by AAA in many states can get Drivesharp training from BrainHQ through their insurer without charge and can receive a discount on their premium. This is not yet available by CAA in Canada.
More than 100 published studies of BrainHQ exercises have shown benefits across varied populations, including gains in standard measures of cognition (attention, speed, memory, executive function, social cognition), 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, everyday cognition, maintaining independence). BrainHQ is now offered in the US, without charge to users, as a benefit by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans; by the Department of Defense for all servicemembers; and by hundreds of clinics, libraries, 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 English at dynamicbrain.brainhq.com in Canada and in French at dynamicbrain-fr.brainhq.com globally, 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
