Nowadays, brain gaming has become a major industry, as it is possible to have an entire library on a portable device, and the assortment of such games is highly varied. Some of them focus on general intelligence, while others claim to improve specific cognitive skills, such as memory, reaction, concentration, or critical thinking. Kietzel et al. (2016) note that brain games may be quite exciting and engaging. Being able to compete with other players stimulates social skills, which is especially important for children. Most brain games use a convenient adjustable interface with pleasant images and sounds, leading to relaxation. Players, sometimes misled by colorful advertisements, expect such games to improve their cognitive skills drastically and may even purchase them for significant amounts of money. Nevertheless, brain games and their effects may be overrated. According to Kietzel et al. (2016), there is little scientific evidence in favor of brain games’ efficiency. Moreover, most of the products in question have never been properly tested in terms of their cognitive functions effect.
In my opinion, brain games can be a useful addition to support traditional techniques. Scientists have been studying brain functions for centuries, hoping to find more effective ways of their improvement. Conventional practices that enhance one’s memory and cognitive skills include meditation, puzzle-solving, proper sleep, and outdoor activities. Besides, there is a list of foods that have a positive effect on a person’s brain. The list comprises such foods as broccoli, nuts, chocolate, and fish. As for unusual practices, Babcock et al. (2017) state that, on average, students who study simultaneous interpretation demonstrate better short-term memory skills than their peers. I believe that there is no perfect solution for memory and brain training, as each method reveals its best qualities when it complements the other. All in all, cognitive function improvement is possible through regular comprehensive exercises that are not limited to just one medium.
References
Babcock, L., Capizzi, M., Arbula, S., & Vallesi, A. (2017). Short-term memory improvement after simultaneous interpretation training. Journal of Cognitive Enhancement, 1, 254–267.
Kietzel, S.L., Cary Jr., M.P., Ciro, C., Berbrayer, D., Dawson, D., Hoffecker, L., Machtinger, J., Pham, P., Thai, M., & Heyn, P.C. (2016). Brain gaming: A user’s product guide for the clinician. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 97(8), 1399–1400.