The Brain Gym at Miami Jewish Home and Hospital
South Floridians troubled by “senior moments” and the more serious problems to come they might signal now have a place and a way to “use it” rather than “lose it.” Its the recently unveiled “Brain Gym” at the Memory Center at Miami Jewish Home and Hospital.
The Brain Gym is a computerized training program to help boost memory and other cognitive skills. It uses Mindfit, a range of software programs that were designed specifically for that purpose. Recent research in neuroplasticity the brains ability to change in response to new information and activities shows that brain cells and neural pathways continue to develop throughout life. A 2003 study, for example, found that people older than 75 who danced, read, or played musical instruments faced a lower risk of dementia.
Dr. Marc Agronin at a Brain Gym “exercise station” at the Memory Center at Douglas Gardens
“New research is challenging our assumptions on the aging or damaged brain,” says Dr. Marc Agronin, the director of mental health services at MJHH. “Although we dont yet know definitively that we can grow new brain cells, we certainly do know now that we can grow new neural connections. The Brain Gym here at the Memory Center is premised on the principle that brain function can benefit from repetition and practice exercise, if you will just like the body does.”
After reading early studies showing quantifiable improvements in short-term memory and attention, and researching the half dozen or so versions of software programs designed to increase brain power through regimens of mental “calisthenics,” Dr. Agronin chose the MindFit software because of its user-friendly nature and the fact that it is economical for clients who may want to purchase the program in order to “work out” at home.
MindFit, made by CogniFit, evaluates the starting point for each user, and on the basis of this information it designs an individual training program. The training itself consists of tasks to be worked on for about fifteen to twenty minutes, three times a week. The software measures the person’s progress and provides feedback on ongoing performance.
As the user moves through the brain exercises, the impact of training becomes apparent. The tasks that appeared difficult at first gradually become easier and the mind becomes more focused. Faster and more precise reactions follow each other and the exercises slowly move to a higher level of complexity or speed. Skills that have become rusted over the years slowly regain a sense of familiarity. The experience is one of mastery and growth.
Dr. Agronin is an assistant professor of Psychiatry at the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami and a nationally recognized expert on dementia. He has been the principal investigator for over 20 clinical trials involving Alzheimers disease. His book,
Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias: A Practical Guide, is in its second edition.
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