Brain training programs like Lumosity increase general intelligence
the verdict
CONTESTED
the evidence cuts both ways
confidence 24/100
Whether brain training programs increase general intelligence remains heavily contested, with some studies and meta-analyses reporting weak far-transfer effects while rigorous recent trials and broader reviews find no reliable improvement in fluid intelligence.
Evidence for · 4
Effects of working memory and attentional control training and their transfer onto fluid intelligence in early and late adulthood
2016 · cited by 16
The study found a weak but significant positive transfer effect from basic cognitive training onto fluid intelligence.
Evidence against · 5
Near‐ and Far‐Transfer Effects of Working Memory Updating Training in Elderly Adults
2014 · cited by 21
Working memory updating training improved task-specific performance but failed to show transfer effects to non-verbal reasoning tests in elderly adults.
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More for · 3
Enhancement of Executive Control through Short-term Cognitive Training: Far-transfer Effects on General Fluid Intelligence
2017 · cited by 2
Short-term executive control training significantly improved cognitive control and general fluid intelligence scores.
Modulating fluid intelligence performance through combined cognitive training and brain stimulation.
2018 · cited by 0
Combined cognitive training and brain stimulation led to measurable transfer effects and improvements in fluid intelligence.
Improving fluid intelligence with training on working memory: a meta-analysis.
2015 · cited by 0
A meta-analysis of n-back working memory training studies identified a small but significant positive effect on fluid intelligence.
More against · 4
Experimental Evaluation of Near‐ and Far‐Transfer Effects of an Adaptive Multicomponent Working Memory Training
2015 · cited by 11
An experimental evaluation found no far-transfer effects to reasoning or other untrained abilities from adaptive working memory training.
Small Improvements in Working Memory After Cognitive Training do not Transfer to Fluid Intelligence: Evidence From a Meta-analysis
2020 · cited by 1
A meta-analysis concluded that working memory improvements from cognitive training do not generalize to fluid intelligence.
Training working memory for two years-No evidence of transfer to intelligence.
2022 · cited by 0
A two-year longitudinal working memory training study found no transfer of training effects to fluid or crystallized intelligence.
Working memory training does not improve executive functioning or fluid intelligence.
2022 · cited by 0
A well-controlled study found that working memory training improved practiced tasks but failed to produce transferable effects on fluid intelligence.