This is a partial list of studies that directly demonstrate that computerized cognitive training can improve cognition. There are many other such studies; this list is a sampling.
Carvalho, Cíntia Monteiro, Bruno Costa Poltronieri, Karin Reuwsaat, Maria Eduarda Alves Reis, and Rogerio Panizzutti. 2025. “Digital Cognitive Training for Functionality in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.” GeroScience, January. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01464-x.
Aghamoosa, Stephanie, James Lopez, Katrina Rbeiz, Holly H. Fleischmann, Olivia Horn, Katrina Madden, Kevin A. Caulfield, et al. 2024. “A Phase I Trial of Accelerated Intermittent Theta Burst RTMS for Amnestic MCI.” Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 95 (11): 1036–45. https://doi.org/10.1136/jnnp-2023-332680.
Jung, Miyeon, Asa B. Smith, Bruno Giordani, David G. Clark, Irmina Gradus-Pizlo, Kelly L. Wierenga, Kittie Reid Lake, and Susan J. Pressler. 2024. “Computerized Cognitive Training and 24-Month Mortality in Heart Failure.” Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing 39 (2): E51. https://doi.org/10.1097/JCN.0000000000001023.
Vance, David E., Andres Azuero, Michael Vinikoor, Julie K. Schexnayder, Frank Puga, Benjamin Galatzan, Jun Y. Byun, et al. 2024. “Cognitive Intra-Individual Variability as an Outcome or Moderator of Speed of Processing Training in Aging Adults with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: A Secondary Data Analysis of a 2-Year Longitudinal Randomized Clinical Trial.” Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics Plus, February, 100012. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aggp.2024.100012.
Kraft, Jessica N., Aprinda Indahlastari, Emanuel M. Boutzoukas, Hanna K. Hausman, Cheshire Hardcastle, Alejandro Albizu, Andrew O’Shea, et al. 2024. “The Impact of a TDCS and Cognitive Training Intervention on Task-Based Functional Connectivity.” GeroScience, January. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01077-4.
Fan, Meixiang, Qingfeng Li, Tingting Yang, Yinghua Yang, Zhihua Chen, Guo Xuan, Ye Ruan, et al. 2024. “Effect of Multimodal Intervention in Individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial in Shanghai.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease Preprint (Preprint): 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-231370.
Milič Kavčič, Zdenka, Voyko Kavcic, Bruno Giordani, and Uros Marusic. 2024. “Computerized Cognitive Training in the Older Workforce: Effects on Cognition, Life Satisfaction, and Productivity.” Applied Sciences 14 (15): 6470. https://doi.org/10.3390/app14156470.
Ruiz-Yu, Bernalyn, Thanh P. Le, Joseph Ventura, Armen Arevian, Gerhard S. Hellemann, and Keith H. Nuechterlein. 2024. “Exercise Behaviours and Motivation after a First Psychotic Episode: A Digital Intervention.” Early Intervention in Psychiatry 18 (10): 805–13. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13518.
Areklett, E. W., B. I. Hagen, J. Stubberud, E. Fagereng, S. Andersson, and K. Lindemann. 2024. “Digital Goal Management Training for Cognitive Impairment in Cervical Cancer Survivors—a Randomized Comparison Study.” Journal of Cancer Survivorship. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-024-01701-4.
Aksu, Serkan, Aprinda Indahlastari, Andrew O’Shea, Michael Marsiske, Ronald Cohen, Gene E. Alexander, Steven T. DeKosky, et al. 2024. “Facilitation of Working Memory Capacity by Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation: A Secondary Analysis from the Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults (ACT) Study.” GeroScience 46 (5): 4075–4110. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01205-0.
Merzbach, Viviane, Matthew Jewiss, Adrian Scruton, and Dan Gordon. 2024. “The Effects of Prescribed Physical and Cognitive Exercise on Life Satisfaction, Self-Efficacy and Mood States in Adults with Down Syndrome: The MinDSets Study.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 21 (5): 610. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050610.
Lee, Pai-Lin, Chih-Kun Huang, Yi-Yi Chen, Hui-Hsiang Chang, Chun-Hua Cheng, Yu-Chih Lin, and Chia-Li Lin. 2024. “Enhancing Cognitive Function in Older Adults through Processing Speed Training: Implications for Cognitive Health Awareness.” Healthcare 12 (5): 532. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12050532.
Lee, Hyun Kyu, Chandramallika Basak, Sarah-Jane Grant, Nicholas R Ray, Paulina A Skolasinska, Chris Oehler, Shuo Qin, et al. 2024. “The Effects of Computerized Cognitive Training in Older Adults’ Cognitive Performance and Biomarkers of Structural Brain Aging.” The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, gbae075. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbae075.
Hausman, Hanna K., Gene E. Alexander, Ronald Cohen, Michael Marsiske, Steven T. DeKosky, Georg A. Hishaw, Andrew O’Shea, et al. 2024. “TDCS Reduces Depression and State Anxiety Symptoms in Older Adults from the Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults Study (ACT).” Brain Stimulation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2024.02.021.
Hardcastle, Cheshire, Jessica N. Kraft, Hanna K. Hausman, Andrew O’Shea, Alejandro Albizu, Nicole D. Evangelista, Emanuel M. Boutzoukas, et al. 2024. “Learning Ratio Performance on a Brief Visual Learning and Memory Test Moderates Cognitive Training Gains in Double Decision Task in Healthy Older Adults.” GeroScience. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01115-1.
Funghi, Giulia, Claudia Meli, Arianna Cavagna, Lisa Bisoffi, Francesca Zappini, Costanza Papagno, and Alessandra Dodich. 2024. “The Social and Cognitive Online Training (SCOT) Project: A Digital Randomized Controlled Trial to Promote Socio-Cognitive Well-Being in Older Adults.” Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 122:105405. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105405.
Fiszdon, Joanna M., Kaicheng Wang, Karen Lê, Lori Parente, and Jimmy Choi. 2024. “Efficacy of Cognitive Training on Cognition, Symptoms and Functioning: Impact of Motivation and Attendance.” Schizophrenia Research: Cognition 37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scog.2024.100313.
Muccio, Marco, Giuseppina Pilloni, Lillian Walton Masters, Peidong He, Lauren Krupp, Abhishek Datta, Marom Bikson, Leigh Charvet, and Yulin Ge. 2024. “Simultaneous and Cumulative Effects of TDCS on Cerebral Metabolic Rate of Oxygen in Multiple Sclerosis.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 18. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1418647.
Vance, David E., Pariya L. Fazeli, Andres Azuero, Jennifer S. Frank, Virginia G. Wadley, James L. Raper, Caitlin N. Pope, and Karlene K. Ball. 2024. “A 2-Year Longitudinal Randomized Control Trial of Speed of Processing Cognitive Training in Aging Adults with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: Results of the Think Fast Study.” AIDS and Behavior 28 (10): 3300–3314. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-024-04409-9.
Woodruff, Erica, Bruno Costa Poltronieri, Luisa Pedrosa de Albuquerque Sousa, Yasmin Guedes de Oliveira, Marcos Alexandre Reis, Linda Scoriels, and Rogério Panizzutti. 2024. “Effects of Bottom-up versus Top-down Digital Cognitive Training in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 127:105552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2024.105552.
Liu, Chia-Lun, Shou-Hsien Huang, Wei-Chun Wang, Chih-Kuang Chen, Ken-Hsien Su, and Ching-Yi Wu. 2024. “Characterizing Two Hybrid Exercise-Cognitive Training Interventions with Neurophysiological and Behavioral Indexes in Post-Stroke Patients with Cognitive Dysfunction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering 32:3913–22. https://doi.org/10.1109/TNSRE.2024.3482328.
Miley, Kathleen, Michael V. Bronstein, Sisi Ma, Hyunkyu Lee, Michael F. Green, Joseph Ventura, Christine I. Hooker, Mor Nahum, and Sophia Vinogradov. 2024. “Trajectories and Predictors of Response to Social Cognition Training in People with Schizophrenia: A Proof-of-Concept Machine Learning Study.” Schizophrenia Research 266:92–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2024.02.027.
Molina, Juan L., Yash B. Joshi, John A. Nungaray, Joyce Sprock, Mouna Attarha, Bruno Biagianti, Michael L. Thomas, Neal R. Swerdlow, and Gregory A. Light. 2024. “Early Auditory Processing Abnormalities Alter Individual Learning Trajectories and Sensitivity to Computerized Cognitive Training in Schizophrenia.” Psychological Medicine, 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291724000783.
Harvey, Philip D., Courtney Dowell-Esquivel, Justin E. Macchiarelli, Alejandro Martinez, Peter Kallestrup, and Sara J. Czaja. 2024. “Early Prediction of Mastery of a Computerized Functional Skills Training Program in Participants with Mild Cognitive Impairment.” International Psychogeriatrics, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1041610224000115.
Macchiarelli, Justin E, Courtney Dowell-Esquivel, Alejandro Martinez, Andrea Rivera-Molina, Annalee Mueller, Peter Kallestrup, Sara J. Czaja, and Philip D. Harvey. 2024. “Association of Racial Status and Training Language with Baseline Performance and Training Gains During Computerized Training of Technology-Related Everyday Functional Skills In Older Adults.” The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry: Open Science, Education, and Practice. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.osep.2024.07.004.
Eaton, Andrew D., Jenny Hui, Marvelous Muchenje, Taylor Kon, Kate Murzin, Soo Chan Carusone, Nuelle Novik, Adria Quigley, Kristina Kokorelias, and Francisco Ibáñez-Carrasco. 2024. “Adapting Cognitive Remediation Group Therapy Online: Focus Groups with People Aging with HIV.” Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care 23. https://doi.org/10.1177/23259582241242703.
Oki, Yutaro, Tohmi Osaki, Ryoko Kumagai, Shunsuke Murata, Haruhi Encho, Rei Ono, Hisafumi Yasuda, and Hisatomo Kowa. 2024. “An 18-Month Multimodal Intervention Trial for Preventing Dementia: J-MINT PRIME Tamba.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia 20 (10): 6972–83. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.14170.
Agnoli, Sam, Henry Mahncke, Sarah-Jane Grant, Zachary T. Goodman, William P. Milberg, Michael Esterman, and Joseph DeGutis. 2024. “Negative Global Metacognitive Biases Are Associated with Depressive and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms and Improve with Targeted or Game-Based Cognitive Training.” Neuropsychology 38 (7): 622–36. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000967.
Sakurai, Takashi, Taiki Sugimoto, Hiroyasu Akatsu, Takehiko Doi, Yoshinori Fujiwara, Akihiro Hirakawa, Fumie Kinoshita, et al. 2024. “Japan-Multimodal Intervention Trial for the Prevention of Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia 20 (6): 3918–30. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.13838.
Huang, Alison R., George W. Rebok, Bonnielin K. Swenor, and Jennifer A. Deal. 2024. “Vision and Hearing Difficulty and Effects of Cognitive Training in Older Adults.” Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring 16 (2): e12537. https://doi.org/10.1002/dad2.12537.
Vance, David E., Pariya L. Fazeli, Andres Azuero, Jennifer S. Frank, Virginia G. Wadley, James L. Raper, Caitlin N. Pope, Alexandra Jacob, and Karlene K. Ball. 2024. “A 2-Year, Randomized, Clinical Trial Examining the Effects of Speed of Processing Cognitive Training on Quality-of-Life Indicators in Adults With HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder in Birmingham, Alabama: Results of the Think Fast Study.” Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000449. https://doi.org/10.1097/JNC.0000000000000449.
Montero-Odasso, Manuel, Guangyong Zou, Mark Speechley, Quincy J. Almeida, Teresa Liu-Ambrose, Laura E. Middleton, Richard Camicioli, et al. 2023. “Effects of Exercise Alone or Combined With Cognitive Training and Vitamin D Supplementation to Improve Cognition in Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” JAMA Network Open 6 (7): e2324465. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.24465.
Vance, David E., Pariya L. Fazeli, Andres Azuero, Jennifer S. Frank, Virginia G. Wadley, James L. Raper, Caitlin N. Pope, and Karlene K. Ball. 2023. “A 2-Year Longitudinal Randomized Controlled Trial Examining the Transfer of Speed of Processing Training to Secondary Cognitive Domains in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: Results of the Think Fast Study.” The Clinical Neuropsychologist 0 (0): 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2023.2212867.
Pressler, Susan J., Miyeon Jung, Bruno Giordani, Marita G. Titler, Irmina Gradus-Pizlo, Kittie Reid Lake, Kelly L. Wierenga, et al. 2023. “Evaluating Depressive Symptoms, BDNF Val66Met, and APOE-Ε4 as Moderators of Response to Computerized Cognitive Training in Heart Failure.” Heart & Lung 59 (May):146–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrtlng.2023.02.002.
Rute-Pérez, Sandra, Carlos Rodríguez-Domínguez, María Vélez-Coto, Miguel Pérez-García, and Alfonso Caracuel. 2023. “Effectiveness of Computerized Cognitive Training by VIRTRAEL on Memory and Executive Function in Older People: A Pilot Study.” Brain Sciences 13 (4): 684. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13040684.
Singh, Jaskirat, Sukhwinder Singh, Bir Singh Chavan, Savita Gupta, Priti Arun, Damanjeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, and Archna Sharma. 2023. “Efficacy of Cognitive Training Program Given to Patients with Schizophrenia Using Computer Tablets: A Preliminary Study.” International Journal of Cognitive Therapy 16 (1): 40–57. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41811-023-00156-2.
Chuang, I-Ching, Hui-Yan Chiau, Wan-Wen Liao, Yih-Ru Wu, Chih-Hung Chang, and Ching-Yi Wu. 2023. “Effects of Computer-Based Cognitive Training Combined with Physical Training for Older Adults with Cognitive Impairment: A Four-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.” Digital Health 9. https://doi.org/10.1177/20552076231203633.
Roach, Jared C., Molly K. Rapozo, Junko Hara, Gwênlyn Glusman, Jennifer Lovejoy, William R. Shankle, and Leroy Hood. 2023. “A Remotely Coached Multimodal Lifestyle Intervention for Alzheimer’s Disease Ameliorates Functional and Cognitive Outcomes.” Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 591–607. https://doi.org/10.3233/JAD-230403.
Rotblatt, Lindsay J., Adrienne T. Aiken-Morgan, Michael Marsiske, Ann L. Horgas, and Kelsey R. Thomas. 2023. “Do Associations Between Vascular Risk and Mild Cognitive Impairment Vary by Race?” Journal of Aging and Health 35 (9_suppl): 74S-83S. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898264320984357.
Sprague, Briana N., Lesley A. Ross, and Karlene K. Ball. 2023. “Does Cognitive Training Reduce Falls across Ten Years?: Data from the ACTIVE Trial.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20 (6): 4941. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20064941.
Rebok, George W., Andrew Gellert, Norma B. Coe, Olivio J. Clay, Gail Wallace, Jeanine M. Parisi, Adrienne T. Aiken-Morgan, et al. 2023. “Effects of Cognitive Training on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: The Moderating Role of Social Determinants of Health.” Journal of Aging and Health 35 (9_suppl): 40S-50S. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643231203755.
Pope, Caitlin N., Katie M. Wheeler, Tyler R. Bell, Brooke E. Carroll, Lesley A. Ross, Michael Crowe, Shelia R. Black, Olivio J. Clay, and Karlene K. Ball. 2023. “Social and Neighborhood Context Moderates the Associations Between Processing Speed and Driving Mobility: A 10-Year Analysis of the ACTIVE Study.” Journal of Aging and Health 35 (9_suppl): 26S-39S. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643231163907.
Rebok, George W., Olivio J. Clay, Roland J. Thorpe, and Sherry L. Willis. 2023. “The ACTIVE Study: Association of Race and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) with Long-Term Outcomes and Cognitive Training Effects.” Journal of Aging and Health 35 (9_suppl): 3S-10S. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643231204931.
Owens, Joshua, Richard Jones, and Michael Marsiske. 2023. “The Effects of Occupational Complexity on Late Life Cognition in ACTIVE: Examining the Mediating and Moderating Effects of Race.” Journal of Aging and Health 35 (9_suppl): 95S-106S. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643211038837.
Merzbach, Viviane, Michael Ferrandino, Marie Gernigon, Jorge Marques Pinto, Adrian Scruton, and Dan Gordon. 2023. “Impact of Prescribed Exercise on the Physical and Cognitive Health of Adults with Down Syndrome: The MinDSets Study.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20 (23): 7121. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20237121.
Maeir, Talia, Chen Makranz, Tamar Peretz, Ester Odem, Shani Tsabari, Mor Nahum, and Yafit Gilboa. 2023. “Cognitive Retraining and Functional Treatment (CRAFT) for Adults with Cancer Related Cognitive Impairment: A Preliminary Efficacy Study.” Supportive Care in Cancer 31 (3): 152. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-07611-y.
Lewis, Erin D., Margaret Apostol, Jamie Langston, Alex Parker, and Malkanthi Evans. 2023. “A Multi-Center, Open-Label Exploratory Study to Assess Cognitive Function Response to Lifestyle Changes Plus Supplementation in Healthy Adults with Risk Factors Associated with Cognitive Decline.” Applied Sciences 13 (5): 2818. https://doi.org/10.3390/app13052818.
Fisher, Melissa, Kevin Etter, Aimee Murray, Neelu Ghiasi, Kristin LaCross, Ian Ramsay, Ariel Currie, et al. 2023. “The Effects of Remote Cognitive Training Combined With a Mobile App Intervention on Psychosis: Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.” Journal of Medical Internet Research 25 (1): e48634. https://doi.org/10.2196/48634.
Hausman, Hanna K., Gene E. Alexander, Ronald Cohen, Michael Marsiske, Steven T. DeKosky, Georg A. Hishaw, Andrew O’Shea, et al. 2023. “Primary Outcome from the Augmenting Cognitive Training in Older Adults Study (ACT): A TDCS and Cognitive Training Randomized Clinical Trial.” Brain Stimulation 16 (3): 904–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brs.2023.05.021.
Feger, Danielle M., Sherry L. Willis, Jennifer Deal, Lorraine T. Dean, and Alden L. Gross. 2023. “Disparities in First Instrumental Activity of Daily Living Difficulty between Black and White Older Adults: Findings from the Advanced Cognitive Training in Independent and Vital Elderly Study.” Journal of Aging and Health 35 (9_suppl): 51S-58S. https://doi.org/10.1177/08982643211023005.