Brain training games improve reading ability in children and adults.

Is it true that brain training games improve reading ability in children and adults?

Partly. One systematic review reports serious games improve attention and executive functions in children, and one small study reports brain training improved attention and motor speed, but neither shows improvement in reading ability. A comprehensive review of brain-training programs found little evidence of transfer to distantly related everyday cognitive performance, and a randomized trial that measured reading ability found gains only in executive functions, working memory and processing speed.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 2 sources for, 2 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

V, T., A, S., V, S., C, R., F, B., G, N., & CV, M. (2026). The effectiveness of serious games for training of attention and executive functions: a systematic review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3389/frcha.2026.1801077

DJ, S., WR, B., N, C., SE, G., CF, C., DZ, H., & EA, S. (2016). Do "Brain-Training" Programs Work?. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100616661983

Brain Training Games Enhance Cognitive Function in Healthy Subjects - PMC Lock. (n.d.). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://doi.org/10.12659/MSMBR.909022

Brain Training Game Boosts Executive Functions, Working Memory and Processing Speed in the Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055518

Nouchi, R., Taki, Y., Takeuchi, H., Hashizume, H., Nozawa, T., & Kambara, T. (2013). Brain training game boosts executive functions, working memory and processing speed in the young adults: a randomized controlled trial.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0055518