We spend a lot of time building solutions to improve memory and the brain’s speed and accuracy … we understand how those improvements in brain performance translate into measurable, real-world impact.  I was struck today, though, about the importance of the brain in emotional situations.  A lapse in emotional intelligence – from misunderstanding your own or another’s emotional [...]

A recent article on Science Daily talks about a new science publication by researchers from Florida State University who examined how technology is being used by senior citizens. The researchers refer to computer-based brain fitness programs and make the following statement:

“There is limited but encouraging evidence that these so-called brain fitness software packages make a difference in improving some basic skills, but so far there is little evidence that they improve older adults’ quality of life or ability to live independently. That should be the measure of success in evaluating these programs.”

The full article can be accessed here: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091022153637.htm.

I was frustrated to read that these researchers were unaware of the growing body of research clearly illustrating that well-designed programs can have a large impact on daily living. In particular, the exercises contained in the Posit Science programs have been subjected to large controlled clinical trials and the results have been impressive.