Cognitive training can be helpful for many, but how long does it take to see brain training results? Whether you are looking for a brain training timeline to measure progress, or you are simply curious, understanding the expected improvements for a brain training programme is crucial.
This training can come in different forms, from brain training apps to physical mental agility exercises that can result in short-term vs long-term gains. If you have ever asked yourself how long it might take to see the benefits of something like brain training, and want the evidence to back it up—you are in the right place.
What Do We Mean by “Results” From Brain Training?
When we talk about ‘results’ from brain training, we are determining whether the skills a person practises during training show up in everyday life. This can be far transfer or near transfer effects, but typically brain training results in near transfer results.
The extent of results can vary greatly from person to person, and the amount of training and cognitive baseline of the individual must be taken into consideration. While these activities can certainly bear promising results, it’s important to be realistic and understand that there are limitations. Brain training is not a ‘cure all’, and it may not work on everyone. Certainly, some individuals will thrive and see marked improvements when they take part in these exercises, but others may not improve at all.
What Can and Can’t be Improved With Brain Training?
Brain training results can vary, and many different areas can be improved through hard work and dedication. These include reading skills, memory and recall, attention, focus, processing, and more—depending on the exercises and activities done throughout the programme.
Brain training can help to improve the following cognitive functions when done consistently:
- Reading skills
- Auditory processing
- Visual processing
- Logic and reasoning
- Memory and recall
- Processing speed
- Attention and focus
- Cognitive flexibility
Helpful as it may be, brain training cannot replace supportive relationships, routines, physical movement or emotional guidance from those around you. It will not remove anxiety, developmental conditions or behavioural challenges on its own, but can be used as a wider, more holistic approach. At The Brain Workshop, we see brain training as one helpful tool that works best when combined with a nurturing environment and any necessary medical and therapeutic interventions recommended by medical professionals.
How Soon After Starting Brain Training Can People See Cognitive Gains?
Brain training results can be seen by doing as little as three minutes of intentional exercises every day for six weeks, as revealed in an NIHR Evidence summary. However, this will not be the case for everyone. Some people may need to spend more time doing brain training over a longer period of time to achieve notable results, depending on a variety of factors such as the type of activity and how frequently they do it, and their cognitive baseline.
The time it takes to see the benefits from brain training vary, with some individuals reporting improvements after around six weeks, while it might take 12 weeks or more to see the benefits for others.
Individuals who do brain training exercises every day are likely to see an improvement faster, while those doing them on an ad-hoc basis will take longer. At the moment, studies show us that brain training can offer long-lasting improvements to cognitive function. However, more research is needed to determine how long these effects can last if the exercises are not continued, or are reduced.
Are the Improvements from Brain Training Long-Lasting?
Improvements from brain training can last, but they depend on the activity itself, time spent practicing, age and how well the new skills are reinforced in daily life. Research shows that gains in working memory, attention and processing can remain for months when children continue to use those skills at home and school. However, these effects are only near-transfer, and cannot be said for everyday behaviour or thinking.
If training stops completely, the benefits may fade over time. At The Brain Workshop, we focus on helping families build habits that keep these cognitive strengths active and meaningful in the long term—because we all deserve to get the most out of our experiences.
Does the Age of the Trainee Affect How Quickly Results Appear?
The speed of brain training results can be influenced by the age of the ‘trainee’. Studies have found that, due to neuroplasticity, younger children often respond more readily to cognitive training because their brains are more flexible and less specialised. As we age, our brains become more specialised, and are generally less capable of learning and changing—but your brain can always change.
With that being said, there are differences to take into consideration within age ranges, too. For example, a study of children between seven and 11 years old showed that the ability to “update” working memory improves with age — and older children within that group managed the task faster.
At The Brain Workshop, we believe early childhood offers a strong window of opportunity for many things, including brain training. However, older children and even adults can still benefit from training their brains — but expected results may take longer and require more repetition and reinforcement for some groups compared to others.
How Much Training Is Needed to See Meaningful Results?
Research suggests that to see meaningful results from brain training, children typically need around 20 to 25 training sessions of about 30–45 minutes each, usually spread over four to seven weeks.
Some studies show that the cognitive benefits after a shorter block of daily training for three weeks is also suitable for improvement. However, benefits are modest and not always sustained, and a lasting change will typically require ongoing practice and reinforcement in everyday life to keep the synaptic pathways in the brain strong and thriving.
Can Brain Training Lead to an Improvement in Everyday Life?
Brain training results may lead to improvements in everyday life, but there are key limitations to consider. Attention, memory, and other cognitive abilities can be improved, but these improvements are near transfer—meaning that these improvements will only be there when doing tasks like the one the ‘trainee’ trained on.
As a result of, for example, emotional control brain training, can lead to improved mood for many children, but there is no solution that works for everyone. Overall, brain training is not the solution for getting broad, lasting improvements across everyday life.
At The Brain Workshop, we understand that transparency and caution are key when it comes to our brains, no matter the age. So, while brain training can be fantastic for improving key aspects of cognition, it is not something that will guarantee meaningful improvements for day-to-day activities.
When Should You Reassess or Combine Brain Training With Other Supportive Habits?
Brain training should never be used as a replacement for medicine or therapy. Rather, it is a useful took that should be used alongside them, where appropriate. Because of this, you can combine brain training with therapies, medication, and other supportive habits whenever you and your medical professionals think it is right.
We would like you remind you here that many supportive habits should take place within the home, whether you are dealing with adults or children. Create routines, be emotionally available, and creature a nurturing environment that fosters support alongside any medical suggestions you get from professionals.
Get in Touch With The Brain Workshop for a Tailored Brain Training Programme to Suit Your Needs
Ready to explore how brain training might work for you and set realistic, evidence-based goals to get the brain training results you want? Contact The Brain Workshop today for a free consultation, tailored assessment and a personalised plan designed around your brain training needs.
Learn more about us at the Brain Workshop, meet our team, check out events, or even read our FAQ. Or, if you want to see our real-world impact, read our success stories and learn more about our training resources.
