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Delilah Redonowitz asked this question on June 18, 2009 20:14.
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how can i tell if i'm improving?
I'm more than half way through the program and I don't feel any different. I still struggle with names and even remembering why I went into the other room! Shouldn't I be noticing an improvement by now?
I’m anxious
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Hello Delilah,
I hope what I have to say will help make you feel better! Suffice it to say you are absolutely not alone! We have many users share your same feelings and questions and what you are experiencing is most likely quite normal. If after putting more time into the program (for instance 10 more sessions) you are still feeling the same way, then please check back with us.
I understand your concerns. Our program is designed to train the parts of the brain that process sound information and to provide a tune up of the auditory processing parts of the brain. With dedication and time, processing can be improved, and, by extension, your short term and working memory may be improved.
Several changes in people's bodies make if difficult for their brains to represent what they hear and see as accurately as they did when they were younger. Hearing and vision rarely improve with age. In addition to the well-known declines in the function of the ear and the eye, there are declines in the function in the brain systems that deal with all of the senses. As these systems decline, it becomes difficult for the brain to create crystal-clear representations of sounds and experience-of the input that form the senses. The fuzzier those representations are, the harder it is for the brain to record and store them. It is then harder to find, retrieve and manipulate them. The Brain Fitness Program aims to improve your ability to record or represent the information, and as a result, it should improve your ability to retrieve and remember the information. The program will not restore long term memory loss, but it aims to strengthen those short term and working memory centers.
It may take a while to notice changes. You may not feel any different, and then you suddenly notice that you could remember a number, or a name, or follow a complex conversation or plot.
Many people have told us that they noticed changes around their 18th and 20th sessions of the Brain Fitness Program. Others did not notice benefits until later in the program, or even after the program is completed. It can be different for each individual.
How well do you adhere to the recommended schedule of the three to five times per week for 40 sessions? Are you actively engaged in the program? Complete focus of attention is very important for your success in the program. When you focus your attention, you signal the brain to encode, process, and remember the stimuli you are focusing on.
Auditory processing is only one function of cognitive ability: The Brain Fitness Program is an auditory based program, and auditory processing is only one way in which the brain receives, stores, and remembers. Other parts of your brain may also need stimulation and strengthening in order for some of the benefits you expected to occur.
Even if you're not noticing benefits right now, it is important to stick with the program. Remember, it takes consistent effort to get results.
I hope that this information helps aid you in you success with the program and in every day activities.
The company says
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?Hello Delilah,
I hope what I have to say will help make you feel better! Suffice it to say you are absolutely not alone! We have many users share your same feelings and questions and what you are experiencing is most likely quite normal. If after putting more time into the program (for instance 10 more sessions) you are still feeling the same way, then please check back with us.
I understand your concerns. Our program is designed to train the parts of the brain that process sound information and to provide a tune up of the auditory processing parts of the brain. With dedication and time, processing can be improved, and, by extension, your short term and working memory may be improved.
Several changes in people's bodies make if difficult for their brains to represent what they hear and see as accurately as they did when they were younger. Hearing and vision rarely improve with age. In addition to the well-known declines in the function of the ear and the eye, there are declines in the function in the brain systems that deal with all of the senses. As these systems decline, it becomes difficult for the brain to create crystal-clear representations of sounds and experience-of the input that form the senses. The fuzzier those representations are, the harder it is for the brain to record and store them. It is then harder to find, retrieve and manipulate them. The Brain Fitness Program aims to improve your ability to record or represent the information, and as a result, it should improve your ability to retrieve and remember the information. The program will not restore long term memory loss, but it aims to strengthen those short term and working memory centers.
It may take a while to notice changes. You may not feel any different, and then you suddenly notice that you could remember a number, or a name, or follow a complex conversation or plot.
Many people have told us that they noticed changes around their 18th and 20th sessions of the Brain Fitness Program. Others did not notice benefits until later in the program, or even after the program is completed. It can be different for each individual.
How well do you adhere to the recommended schedule of the three to five times per week for 40 sessions? Are you actively engaged in the program? Complete focus of attention is very important for your success in the program. When you focus your attention, you signal the brain to encode, process, and remember the stimuli you are focusing on.
Auditory processing is only one function of cognitive ability: The Brain Fitness Program is an auditory based program, and auditory processing is only one way in which the brain receives, stores, and remembers. Other parts of your brain may also need stimulation and strengthening in order for some of the benefits you expected to occur.
Even if you're not noticing benefits right now, it is important to stick with the program. Remember, it takes consistent effort to get results.
I hope that this information helps aid you in you success with the program and in every day activities.
The company says
this answers the question
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Inappropriate?I also use a supplement that helps me a great deal with rememering. It is phosphatidyl serine. It is a bit pricey but it has been so worth it in enjoying my effectiveness. This is recommended by many psychiatrists to help with brain functoning. I also take fish oil capsules which help with low grade depression, which also affects clarity. Glad you posted. It can be discouraging trying to find what you need. -
Inappropriate?Delilah,
Bravo to you for making a noble effort and seeking community response at a moment of frustration.
I know the reputable scientists on the Posit Science would agree that profound neuroplastic change is not something that happens over night but needs time and space to become embedded.
As an whole-brain/body educator and coach, I would like to add the idea of the "integrated systems" view of support to embedding brain fitness practice. In other words, it may be helpful to recognize that together physical exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and community support reinforce the positive effects of brain fitness gaming.
So again, kudos to you for reaching out to the community and let us know how we can help you stay on purpose!
Dr. M. A. Greenstein
drg@greensteininstitute.com
http://bodiesinspace.com
http://greensteingroup.com
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Inappropriate?Re: Dana JV's response:
"Complete focus of attention is very important for your success in the program. When you focus your attention, you signal the brain to encode, process, and remember the stimuli you are focusing on."
Is it safe to presume that memory encoding she speeks of could be helped or catilized by mindfullness meditatiion practice? Has any studies been performed to see if thbey can work together?1 Comment Add a comment
This answers the question
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Hi Paul, Yes, it is safe to presume that any practice that helps you focus will increase your ability to get the most out of our brain fitness programs. To date, there have been no studies that we are aware of that evaluate the effects of meditation on computer-based cognitive training. -
Inappropriate?it's okay Delilah I feel the same way...did you expercience TBI or Traumatic Brain Injury such as I have? if so please reply to this sometime I would like to know that at least there is one other person who is experiencing the same thing as I am
I’m thankful and happy
1 person says
this answers the question
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This reply was removed on 09/24/09.
see the change log -
I have also noticed that to answer the bu request I click the du button and get it correct and there are others like this , I also have no idea why...but in true Pavlovian Dog style I keep doing or learn to do whichever rewards me with a ding sound !!
I would also like to know why is this so !
Regards, Fran -
Hi Fran - I would suggest reading the section "Emotional Context" in your BFP Companion Guide. (Pages 13-14) This section provides more information on how we learn with positive and negative reinforcements. The guide is also available online: http://www.positscience.com/sites/all...
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Hi Lauris - Just to follow up on your comments regarding Bu-Du...it's unlikely that the program is giving you a "correct" status if you are answering incorrectly. If the program does glitch, it's usually due to other programs/processes running in the background. We have a couple helpful threads with suggestions on Tell Us Apart strategies in general.
1. http://support.positscience.com/posit...
2. http://support.positscience.com/posit... -
Inappropriate?Hang in! Some days it's two steps forward, one back! I felt the same way, but when I look back at where I was when I started the Fitness program the first time, I am so gratified. You'll see, too! Stay with it and don't give up whatever you do.
(And good supplements, walking, exercise, good diet, rest and chewing gum all help the brain, too!)
I had general anesthesia twice, chemo and radiation all within a 6 month period, and my brain felt fried.
Joan B.
I’m thankful
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Inappropriate?Try neuropathwaysmagazine.com it's still under construction but it talks about a way to activate neuropathways from inside the brain. Takes less than five minutes to learn. Only two things required to make it happen, no concentration and no effort.1 Comment Add a comment
This answers the question
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Hey Walter - Thanks for sharing. I looked over the pdf. It reminds me of Richard J Davidson's research on changing your brain by transforming your mind through meditation and similar practices. There's an interesting speech about this hosted by Google Tech Talks available online for free at http://bit.ly/shbFJ
P.S. You said that there are two things required to make this happen..."no concentration" and "no effort." It seems to me that concentration and focused effort are exactly what's required for any successful learning activity, even if that activity is peace of mind.
