📱 Prevention

Can brain training prevent cognitive decline?

The short answer

The evidence is mixed - much of it muddied by the brain-training transfer myth - but there is one standout finding: the ACTIVE trial (Advanced Cognitive Training for Independent and Vital Elderly) — a randomised controlled trial of 2,832 older adults followed for 10 years — found that speed-of-processing training reduced dementia risk by 29%. No other type of brain training showed this effect.

The data

Intervention	Evidence	Dementia protection?
Speed-of-processing training (ACTIVE trial)	Strong RCT — 10-year follow-up	29% risk reduction
Memory training (ACTIVE trial)	Strong RCT	No dementia risk reduction
Reasoning training (ACTIVE trial)	Strong RCT	No dementia risk reduction
Commercial brain training apps	Weak — narrow transfer	No convincing evidence
Aerobic exercise	Very strong — multiple RCTs	~30–40% risk reduction
Social engagement	Moderate cohort evidence	Protective — mechanism unclear

Bottom line: Processing speed training — the type measured by the Processing Speed test and Reaction Time test — has the strongest brain training evidence for dementia prevention. Aerobic exercise still has broader and stronger overall evidence. The two are complementary, not alternatives.

Medical disclaimer

This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Scores from online tests are not diagnostic - if you are concerned about symptoms such as memory loss, attention problems, or cognitive decline, consult a qualified clinician.

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Quick Answer

The evidence is mixed. The ACTIVE trial (2832 adults, 10-year follow-up) found that speed-of-processing training reduced dementia risk by 29%. Other forms of brain training show narrower transfer. Aerobic exercise has stronger and more consistent evidence for dementia prevention.

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