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Brain fitness
reduces risk of depressive symptoms - Unexpected Side
Effect: Makes You Happier
In a study published in The Journals of
Gerontology (Medical Sciences), researchers found a
brain fitness program measured initially for its
impact on cognitive abilities in older adults also had a
significant beneficial impact on symptoms of depression.
The findings are part of an ongoing study funded by the
National Institutes of Health and known as the Advanced
Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly
(ACTIVE) study.
The ACTIVE study randomly assigned participants to four
groups: one group did computerized brain exercises, a second
group took classes in memory strategies, a third group took
classes in reasoning and a fourth group served as a control
that engaged in no special activity.
Researchers found that participants in the study who engaged
in the computerized brain exercises, which were
designed to improve visual speed, accuracy and expanse of
processing, had significantly better outcomes in key
measures related to mood in one-year and five-year
follow-ups. Participants in the other three groups did not
have similar beneficial outcomes on this measure.
Researchers hypothesized two possible reasons why the brain
exercise group was less susceptible to worsening depressive
symptoms. First, they observed that the group had
experienced an increase in brain processing speed
and other quality of life measures that may have made their
day to day experiences more positive. Second, they observed
that the attentional demands and rewards and the procedural
learning requirements of the computer program may have
stimulated the chemical system or other parts of the brain
that affect mood.
"Earlier findings have shown that these particular brain
exercises improve speed of processing, health related
quality of life and ability to engage in activities
required for independent living," said Fred Wolinsky, PhD of
the University of Iowa, the lead author on this study. "This
study is important because it shows that a relatively small
amount of the right kind of brain fitness training
can change the trajectory of aging, even five years later,
by helping people experience a happier life. In the
end, that's really what we all want for ourselves and our
loved ones."
The training used in the study is now commercially available
for the first time as part of the InSight brain fitness
program from Posit Science.
Source: Posit Science 03 09
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