BRAIN FITNESSClinical Trial to measure the

effect of cognitive training in the brain’s abilities

* 2nd semester

The scientific investigation as a process:

1. 1. Formulation of the questionFormulation of the question2. Study Design2. Study Design3. Selection of data sources3. Selection of data sources4. Selection of participants4. Selection of participants5. Protocol draft5. Protocol draft6. Data collection*7. Data processing and analysis*8. Dissemination of results*

Can “brain exercise” developdevelop the brain’s performance, in younger people?

CLINICAL TRIALCLINICAL TRIALObjective - Testing the influence of exercise programs in :

- Memory- Concentration - Speed of processing

In a clinical trial, the BLINDING is as important as the RANDOMIZATION.

Blinding/Double Blinding – Impossible (in this clinical trial)Randomization – Possible: Division of the participants in two groups –

Experimental Group and Control Group

-67 Neuropsychological tests found;

-Excluded those who didn’t measure:-Memory;-Concentration;-Speed of Processing;

-Problems with the remaining tests:-Too expensive;-Usually used/focused on elderly people;-Usually not applied to healthy individuals;

-TOMAL; WAIS-III; d2 Test of Attention;

-Problem finding applicable tests;

1. The participant is volunteer;

2. Questionary about basal variables (age,sex…) to further analysis;

3. The participant is considered eligible for inclusion;

4. The participant joins the study;

5. Randomization in two groups.

Inclusion criteria:- 1st year ‘s students, Medicine, FMUP

Exclusion criteria:- Class 13 1st year - Mental diseases- Age < 17- Age > 19- Not having internet at home

The number of participants will be determined as soon as we confirm the kind of test that we’ll apply.

- Studies/clinical trials on this matter are mainly about:- the elderly- keeping the brain fit and functional;

-Our clinical trial aims to draw some conclusions about :- younger people;- developing the brain’s abilities;

- Training method: Online daily brain training program;

- Evaluation method: Offline written tests (pretest and final test);

-Expected results: Some improvement in the experimental group’s test results comparing to those of the control group;

Bibliographic References:Bibliographic References:

1) Murase, K., Tanada, S., Inoue, T., Sugawara, Y., & Hamamoto, K., Improvement of brain single photon emission tomography (SPET) using transmission data acquisition in a four-head SPET. Eur J Nucl Med. 1993 Jan; 20(1):32-8.

2) Ogawa, S., Tank, D. W., Menon, R., Ellermann, J. M., Kim, S.G., Merkle, H., & Ugurbil, K., Intrinsic signal changes accompanying sensory stimulation: functional brain mapping with magnetic resonance imaging. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. (1992) 89:5951–5955.

3) Schaie, K., Willis, S., Hertzog, C., & Schulenberg, J., Effects of cognitive training on primary mental ability structure. Psychol Aging. 1987 Sep; 2(3):233-42.

4) Ball, K., Berch, D., Helmers, K., & al., Effects of cognitive training interventions with older adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of American Medical Association, 288(18):2271-2281.

5) Green, S., & Bavelier, D., (2003). Action video game modifies visual selective attention. Nature, 423:534-537.

6) Rebok, G., Rasmusson, D., & Brandt, J., (1996). Prospects for computerized memory training in normal elderly: Effects of practice on explicit and implicit memory tasks. Applied Cognitive Psychology, 10:211-223.

7) Jobe, J. B., Smith, D. M, Ball, K., & al. ACTIVE: a cognitive intervention trial to promote independence in older adults. Control Clin Trials. 2001; 22:453-479.

8) Scanlon, M., Drescher, D., & Sarkar, K. of the Lumos Labs, inc “Improvement of Visual Attention and Working Memory through a Web-based Cognitive Training Program”

9) Jaeggi, S. M., Buschkuehl, M., Jonides, J., & Perrig, W. J., Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 May 13; 105(19):6829-33. Epub 2008 Apr 28.

10) Draganski, B., Gaser, C., Busch, V., Schuierer, G., Bogdahn, U., & May, A., Neuroplasticity: changes in grey matter induced by training. Nature. 2004 Jan 22; 427(6972):311-2.

Ana Isabel CruzAndré CanelasFilipa MachadoJoana PedreiraJoão BarrosoLiliana Beirão

Lúcia FreitasMafalda SeabraMaria João PorteroMário BaptistaRafael OliveiraTânia Maia