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30 Minutes, 3 Exercises: A Routine for an Aging Brain
Nautilus | Science • • health
Key Points:
- A study published in Educational Gerontology found that engaging in daily mental exercises—reading aloud, handwriting, and simple math—can modestly improve cognitive function in adults over 59.
- Over a 12-week period, participants who completed these activities showed an average cognitive test score increase from 12.73 to 13.26 out of 15, along with better memory recall.
- The brain-training regimen, part of the StrongerMemory program, targets the prefrontal cortex to enhance attention, short-term memory, and judgment by stimulating multiple cognitive pathways.
- Community-dwelling seniors benefited more from the exercises than those in retirement homes, possibly due to greater opportunities for independent decision-making and physical activity.
- While the improvements are modest, these mental exercises serve as a beneficial routine to help maintain brain health, akin to physical exercise for the body.
