Brain training Our research
Which? Archive
This article, Brain training, was last updated on 25 February 2009 and is now out of date and held in our online archive for reference. Explore our latest Technology articles.
In November 2008, we asked manufacturers of brain training devices and software what the benefits of using their products were and requested evidence to back up their claims.
We sent this to experts and asked if they thought the evidence justified the claims. They looked at whether the evidence related directly to the product concerned and whether it had been ‘peer reviewed’ (checked by experts working in the same field) and published in a reputable scientific journal.
They also looked to see whether the studies involved a control group.
We also asked five Which? members who had written to us with experiences of brain training to try the products for a month.
Who are our experts?
Dr Chris Bird
A clinical neuroscientist at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College, London.
He has research interests in memory processes and memory disorders associated with dementia.
Dr Paul Howard-Jones
A senior lecturer at the Graduate School of Education, Bristol University.
His interests include how neuroscience can be used to enhance learning, including game-based learning.
Dr Adrian Owen
A senior scientist and assistant director at the Medical Research Council’s Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Cambridge.
He has more than 20 years’ experience developing computerised tasks to assess mental processes.
