The Brain's Full Potential is Being Unlocked by Businesses Everywhere

To examine the effects of NeuroTracker training on standardised measures of attention, working memory, and visual information processing speed using standardized neuropsychological tests. Additionally to measure changes in brain state using functional brain imaging.

‍

20 university-aged students were recruited and divided into an NT training group (30 sessions of NeuroTracker) and a non-active control group. Cognitive functions were assessed using standardized neuropsychological tests (IVA+Plus, WAIS-III, D-KEFS), and correlates of brain functions were assessed using quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG).

‍

The trained group showed strong and consistent improvements in NeuroTracker speed thresholds throughout the training period. The NT group demonstrated significantly higher scores on the IVA+Plus Auditory, WAIS Symbol Search, WAIS Code, WAIS Block Design, WAIS Letter-Number Sequence, d2 Test of Attention, and D-KEFS Color Naming, Inhibition and Inhibition/Switching subtests (P < .01). For qEEG measures the NT group demonstrated significant relative power increases in a range of frequencies within the beta bandwidth, with both eyes open and closed resting states. These changes were observed across frontal regions of the brain (executive function) and represented increases in brain wave speed associated with heightened brain activity and neuroplasticity. Overall results indicated that NeuroTracker training can enhance attention, information processing speed, and working memory, and also lead to positive changes in neuroelectric brain function.

To assess the inhibitory effects of physiological fatigue on cognitive function in elite athletes, and to determine if perceptual-cognitive conditioning can reduce any such effects.

22 rugby players from the Top 14 French Professional Rugby League were divided into two groups. The trained group underwent 15 NeuroTracker Core training sessions, and the untrained group did only 3 Core sessions (sitting) to determine an initial baseline measure. All the athletes were then assessed on NeuroTracker while performing on an exercise bike at 80% of their maximum heartrate.

For the trained group, NeuroTracker speed thresholds remained within 0.03% of the range of their baseline (performed sitting). For the untrained group, NeuroTracker speed thresholds dropped by 30% from their predicted baseline. Firstly, the findings suggest that physical fatigue can significantly reduce high-level cognitive functions elicited by the NeuroTracker task, even with seasoned professionals. Secondly, the results also indicate that such effects can be mitigated with prior perceptual-cognitive conditioning, with as little as 90 minutes of distributed training.

To determine timeframes required for baseline updates for NeuroTracker and ImPACT, based on long-term retest reliability.

At the start of two consecutive seasons, 30 athletes with no recent history of mTBI completed baseline assessments of NeuroTracker and ImPACT. The test–retest reliability of the results was assessed via three different statistical analyses.

‍

The Visual Motor Speed composite score of the ImPACT was the only component of the assessment with outcomes with acceptable retest reliability. NeuroTracker baselines also met these standards. The researchers concluded that NeuroTracker has an acceptable level of test–retest reliability after one year in comparison to ImPACT.

‍

This exploratory study sought to evaluate the relationship between spatial awareness, agility, and distance covered as measured by GPS.

12 American collegiate athletes were assessed on spatial awareness (NeuroTracker: 1 Core session),agility (Pro-agility and T Drill), and then measured for running distance in a competitive Rubgy match at low, moderate and high intensity running speeds.

Agility measures did not correlate with any of the running speeds, and the spatial awareness measure did not correlate with low or high intensity running. However spatial awareness did correlate significantly with moderate intensity running (cruising/striding). Spatial awareness, as measured by NeuroTracker, appears to be related to the moderate intensity movement patterns of rugby union athletes. The researchers hypothesize that the ability to track teammates and opponents while at striding speed may be result of the processing of external and internal stimuli, while generally attempting to navigate open space on the pitch.

To investigate if older populations with clinically diagnosed cognitive impairments associated with fine-motor skills difficulties could measurably benefit from a short cognitive training intervention.

38 elderly participants, half with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and half with mild dementia (MD) completed a total of 36 sessions of NeuroTracker training. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test was used to assess the baseline cognitive status, and two batteries of manual motor skills assessments completed before and after the training program.

The results showed clear and significant post-training improvements in both manual dexterity tests. Analysis indicated that only 90-minutes of NeuroTracker training was needed to achieve these benefits with these populations. The researchers concluded that this type of intervention could have a broad impact on the aging population in terms of their daily quality of life.

‍

To investigate how perceptual–cognitive performance is affected during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) using NeuroTracker(NT) assessments.

‍

42 healthy adults were randomly assigned to an intervention (HIIT + NT, NT, HIIT) or control group. NT performance was measured pre-and post-test at 5, 15, and 25 min while running on a treadmill. The participants trained twice a week for a 4-week intervention period.

There was a significant interaction effect between pre/post-test and groups regarding perceptual-cognitive performance, indicating similar enhancements in the HIIT + NT and the NT group during exercise. HIIT influences physical fitness but did not show any impact on perceptual–cognitive performance. Overall training resulted in substantial task-specific gains. The researchers suggest combination training may be proposed as a training program to improve perceptual–cognitive, and physical performance in a time-efficient way.

To determine if variance in hydration status would be associated with cognitive performance, as assessed by NeuroTracker.

121 participants performed 15 NeuroTracker sessions across 10 days of visits to the laboratory. On the days of training, recent fluid intake, urine color (Urine color scale, UC), and body water (BIA) were documented.

Individuals with average urine color indicating good hydration performed significantly worse on NeuroTracker than those with a borderline dehydrated indicator, as based on urine color. Participants with no recent beverage consumption performed significantly better than those who had recently consumed water, tea, coffee , and milk. The researchers suggested that optimal hydration may not occur at the highest values of the urine color scale possibly due to moderate hyponatremia and hemodilution that could impact NeuroTracker performance.

‍

To to determine if NeuroTracker training could affect off-the-block reaction times, by improving selection attention in university athlete swimmers.

15 male and female varsity swimmers were divided into active and control groups. The active group completed a training intervention of 10 NeuroTracker sessions, controls did no training. Pre and post training the participants were assessed 3 times on for off-the-block reaction times using the Ares Omega Timing System.

The control group showed a moderate improvement in reaction time, however the NeuroTracker trained group showed large improvement in reaction time (-11%). This pilot study indicates that selective attention may be a critical factor in reaction time performance, and that a short intervention of NeuroTracker training can significantly improve reaction times.

‍

To investigate how attentionally based performance and learning is affected when audio stimuli is present in athletic populations.

Twenty USPORT level football athletes (mean age = 20.5yrs) completed in 18 sessions of NeuroTracker Training. Ten athletes completed the training in a dark room with no external noise (had noise cancelling headphones). The other ten athletes completed the training in the same room but were exposed to a consistent simulated crowd noise.

No significant differences in NeuroTracker initial baselines were found between the two groups were found. However, after the 18 training sessions, the mean NeuroTracker score for the noise group was 2.07 (SD = 0.24). In contrast the no noise group averaged significantly slower at 1.77 (SD = 0.32). Although studies show that noise can inhibit attentional processing, this study indicates that presence of the simulated crowd noise may enhance the ecological validity of NeuroTracker training for athlete populations.