SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Preliminary data from the IMPACT study are being presented today at the Gerontological Society of America’s annual conference. The purpose of the IMPACT (“Improvement in Memory with Plasticity-based Adaptive Cognitive Training”) study was to evaluate whether improvements from cognitive training can extend to untrained measures of memory performance and to self-perceived everyday cognition.
The IMPACT trial compares the benefits of a plasticity-based cognitive training program (the Posit Science Brain Fitness Program) to a computer-based learning control matched for computer usage and training intensity. It was chosen to represent current clinical recommendations regarding “staying cognitively active.” The IMPACT study is the first large-scale randomized controlled trial of a non-invasive, computer-based cognitive intervention for aging adults that is available for widespread, individual use. In addition to using standardized neuropsychological tests to assess training-related changes in memory, the IMPACT study measured the improvements in cognitive abilities directly reported by study participants themselves.
Using an intensive series of adaptive computerized exercises, the Brain Fitness Program is designed to target the speed and accuracy of auditory and language processes, and neuromodulatory systems associated with learning and memory. Predefined endpoints distinct in design and content from training exercises included standardized neuropsychological assessments of memory and participant-reported outcome (PRO) assessments measuring perceptions of everyday cognition.
After 10 weeks of training, significant group by time interactions favoring the experimental group (the Brain Fitness Program) were seen on the primary endpoint measure (RBANS Auditory Memory) and multiple within-modality but not cross-modality secondary endpoint measures. PRO measures of everyday cognitive function were significant on pre-post and post-only assessments.
Principal Investigators Glenn Smith, PhD at Mayo Clinic and Elizabeth Zelinski, PhD at the University of Southern California, participated in this prospective, randomized, controlled trial. The study involved 524 healthy adults over the age of 65.
About Posit Science
Posit Science Corporation develops science-based brain health programs. The company works with more than 50 brain scientists from leading universities around the world to create training programs that enhance cognitive performance. Its assessments and exercises are based on neuroplasticity -- the brain’s ability to “rewire” through intensive, repetitive and progressively challenging activity. The company’s Brain Fitness Program is distributed without charge by Humana to its Medicare Advantage members, is licensed to more than 150 retirement communities nationwide, is sold online and by Authorized Providers. Posit Science has received several grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Posit Science was named “Best Small Company” by the American Society on Aging, was named “Best Fitness Initiative” by the Consumer Health World Conference and was selected as one of the “medical breakthroughs of the year” by CNBC. For more information visit http://www.PositScience.com or call 800.514.3975.
CONTACT: Peggy Jara of Posit Science, +1-415-568-3526, cell,
+1-510-333-1160
Web site: http://www.positscience.com/
