Understanding Brain Training for Older Adults
As the global population ages, interest in tools that can support cognitive health, such as brain-training apps, has surged. The principle of "use it or lose it," where mentally stimulating activities supposedly create a cognitive reserve, has driven much of this enthusiasm. For older adults, maintaining cognitive function is crucial for preserving independence and quality of life. Lumosity is one of the most prominent players in this market, offering a suite of games designed to target memory, attention, speed, flexibility, and problem-solving. The key question, however, is whether these programs deliver on their promises, particularly for an older demographic. The answer is complex, with some evidence showing a mild benefit on specific tasks, but a lack of strong evidence for broader, real-world improvements.
The Claims and the Controversy
Lumosity offers a personalized training regimen based on a baseline assessment. According to the company's own research, participants who used their program showed improved performance across various cognitive assessments compared to a control group. However, this is only part of the story. In 2016, Lumosity’s parent company was fined $2 million by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for making unsubstantiated claims that its program could reduce or delay age-related cognitive impairment. The company did not admit or deny the allegations but agreed to stop making such claims without supporting scientific evidence. This event highlighted a significant gap between marketing promises and scientific consensus regarding brain-training apps.
Documented Effects of Lumosity on Cognitive Abilities
Several studies have explored the impact of Lumosity and similar cognitive training programs on older adults. Some have shown promising, albeit limited, results. One study involving healthy older adults found that those who underwent Lumosity training showed less distractibility and higher alertness compared to a control group. Another large-scale trial found that participants who used Lumosity for ten weeks saw statistically significant improvements in specific areas like working memory, arithmetic reasoning, and processing speed when compared to a crossword puzzle control group.
However, a common theme in research is that any improvements often remain highly specific to the trained tasks, with little evidence of transferring to untrained, real-world cognitive skills. A 2017 review concluded there is no strong evidence that learning from these games transfers to improvements in cognitive skills performed outside the game environment. This near-transfer effect means you might get better at a Lumosity game but see no change in your ability to remember where you parked your car or the details of a conversation.
Why Transferability Is a Key Issue
The brain training field distinguishes between near transfer and far transfer effects. Near transfer is an improvement on tasks very similar to the ones being trained. Far transfer is an improvement on real-world, daily life tasks. Most of the positive findings regarding commercial brain training are limited to near transfer. While some studies, like the ACTIVE trial, have shown modest far transfer benefits—such as improved instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) ten years later—these are often associated with processing speed training and may not apply universally to all brain-training programs or users.
Other Activities for Boosting Cognitive Health
Since the evidence for commercial apps like Lumosity remains mixed, many experts recommend a more holistic approach to cognitive fitness that includes a variety of stimulating activities.
- Physical Exercise: Regular physical activity, such as walking, has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain and is associated with better cognitive function. The National Institute on Aging supports further research into how exercise and other non-drug interventions impact dementia prevention.
- Learning New Skills: Engaging in novel and challenging activities, like learning a musical instrument, a new language, or creative arts such as painting, forces the brain to form new neural connections, a process called neuroplasticity. This goes beyond the repetitive tasks sometimes found in brain games.
- Social Engagement: Staying socially connected by visiting with friends, volunteering, or participating in group activities has been linked to better cognitive health in later life and may help lower the risk of cognitive decline and social isolation.
- Traditional Games and Puzzles: Crosswords, Sudoku, chess, and board games offer robust cognitive challenges. A 2019 study found that playing board games correlated with a reduced cognitive decline in older individuals.
Lumosity for Seniors: A Comparison
| Feature | Lumosity for Seniors | Alternative Activities (e.g., Crosswords, Learning a Language) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Requires a paid subscription for full access ($12+/month) | Many alternatives are free (library books, free puzzles online) or a one-time purchase. |
| Scientific Backing | Mixed. Some studies show specific, near-transfer benefits, but far-transfer is not strongly supported. | Strong observational evidence links lifelong intellectual activity to a lower risk of cognitive decline. |
| Engagement | Game-like, adapting difficulty to the user, which can be highly motivating. | Dependent on the individual's interests; can be deeply engaging but may lack structured progression. |
| Real-World Transfer | Lacks strong evidence of improving daily life tasks. | Activities like learning a language directly improve specific cognitive skills and have broader, tangible applications. |
| FTC Action | Received a $2 million fine for deceptive advertising regarding health claims. | No specific regulatory issues, though no single activity is guaranteed to prevent disease. |
| Flexibility | Provides a structured regimen across multiple domains. | Offers high flexibility to pursue activities based on personal interest, not a pre-set curriculum. |
Conclusion
Is Lumosity effective for seniors? The evidence suggests a cautious "maybe, but only in specific ways." While the program may improve performance on the particular games it offers and potentially provide a mild boost to some cognitive functions like working memory and processing speed, robust evidence showing it improves general, day-to-day cognitive performance or prevents dementia is lacking. For many, the benefits may be more about mental stimulation and entertainment than a cure-all for age-related cognitive changes. The FTC action against Lumosity also serves as an important reminder to be skeptical of commercial brain-training claims.
Ultimately, a combination of regular physical exercise, social engagement, learning new and complex skills, and pursuing a variety of hobbies is likely a more effective and holistic strategy for maintaining cognitive health throughout the golden years. Lumosity can be a fun part of this routine, but it should not be seen as a replacement for more evidence-backed lifestyle changes.
