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To assess the extent to which action video game players perform better than non-gamers on cognitive functions measured by NeuroTracker and neuropsychological assessments.

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14 professional and 16 amateur action video game players completed a battery of 7 standardized neuropsychological assessments, a manual dexterity test, and 14 NeuroTracker sessions. Statistical analysis techniques were used to compare cognitive differences.

Analysis revealed that high performance in professional action video games players is associated with enhanced abilities in visual spatial attention, visual and auditory short-term memory, and selective and sustained attention. No significant differences between professionals and amateurs were evident on tasks evaluating executive functions, perceptual manipulation, or manual dexterity. Although both groups displayed a similar learning capacity to improve at NeuroTracker over 90-mins of training, professionals exhibited a distinct performance advantage throughout the intervention. The results overall suggest that elite action video gamers have superior attentional control.

To examine the practical efficacy of cognitive enhancement interventions through a gold-standard template for assessing use of such tools, and to assess NeuroTracker evidence against the template for enhancing attention, working memory and visual information processing speed.

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To assess cognitive tools and NeuroTracker specifically against the following gold-standard criteria and with qEEG findings on changes in neuroelectric brain activity: 1. Robust transfer effects, 2. No Side Effects or Risk of Toxicity, 3. Minimal time and monetary investment, 4) Lasting effects, 5) No ethical issues, 6) Can be used in combination with other interventions, 7) Can be applied to any population.

3-hours of training over 5-weeks with NeuroTracker demonstrated robust effects on attention, working memory, and visual information processing speed as measured by neuropsychological tests. Corresponding changes measured by qEEG were also corroborated these intervention effects. NeuroTracker was concluded to meet the gold standard criteria in points 1, 2, 3, and 5, with some evidence to support the other points, but further research needed.

To examine the transferability of perceptual-cognitive training using NeuroTracker to on-field soccer performance parameters.

22 NCAA Division I women’s soccer players (ages of 18-25) were split into trained and control groups. After baseline testing on NeuroTracker, the experimental group completed 10 NeuroTracker sessions (60-mins) over four-weeks. Game performance data, successful action, passing percentage, and short-medium range passing percentage, was collected utilizing Wyscout video analysis software during a competitive season.

NeuroTracker visual tracking speeds for the trained group significantly increased by 68% from pre-training baseline, while the control group had a 12% increase from baseline testing effects. Analysis showed no significant effects of training over the control group for on performance metrics, except for average in game passing-accuracy, which increased significantly over the control group.

To compare the learning efficiency 3D-MOT (NeuroTracker) with 2D-MOT, and investigate whether any advantages can be reflected by heart rate variability (HRV).

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26 female U15 soccer players completed the 2D- and 3D-MOT tasks with the order reversed for half of the participants. HRV measures were recorded live during the training.

The female soccer players displayed higher learning efficiency in the 3D-MOT task than in the 2D-MOT. HRV analysis revealed that the training had some stimulation associated with inducing flow states in 2D, but that this effect was significantly greater with 3D-MOT. The researchers concluded that this study highlights the role of flow experience in the utility and applicability of 3D-MOT in soccer sport.

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To examine physiological and cognitive differences between starters and non-starters in women’s soccer over the course of a season.

28 NCAA Division I female soccer players were tested at preseason and postseason on battery of assessments. This battery included a one session baseline NeuroTracker, vertical jump power, repeated line drills, reaction time, cognitive questionnaires, and finally, muscle architecture changes using ultrasonography.

Over the season, both groups had very similar NeuroTracker baselines, and both group’s speed thresholds improved significantly from pre-season to post-season. As there was no training intervention, the researchers concluded that this improvement effect revealed the positive influence of daily soccer practice on cognitive functions. This suggests NeuroTracker is a sensitive measure of the cumulative effects of sports training over time. These measures contrasted the cognitive questionnaire results, where the soccer player self-reported decreases in energy, focus and alertness, in line with increased fatigue, over the season.

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.

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To investigate if working memory in Canadian Armed Forces can be improved with unsupervised remote NeuroTracker training as a practical performance enhancement tool.

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66 Canadian Armed Forces soldiers were randomly assigned to NeuroTracker training (30 sessions over two weeks), Dual n-back training, or a passive control group. Verbal and matrix WM span were assessed before and after training, along with the Multi-Attribute Task Battery: MATB-II multi-tasking assessment.

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Both active groups improved on the training tasks with 10-50% improvement in post-training working memory measures. No significant transfer was found for the MATB-II multi-tasking assessment.

The objective of the study was to examine MOT capability at different levels of cognitive load (tracking 1,2,3, or 4 objects) and its association to higher level processes, particularly fluid reasoning intelligence.

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70 adult participants (mean= 23 years of age) completed NeuroTracker and were then assessed on the Weschler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence 2 test. Participants were asked to track one, two, three and four targets out of a total of 8 spheres for eight seconds.

The results showed that as the number of targets increased, the average speed the participants successfully tracked all the objects decreased. This finding allowed the researchers to confirm that average speed score can be used as a suitable metric for MOT and in turn, attention resource capacity. As a result, the outcomes indicate that visual tracking capability is positively associated with fluid reasoning intelligence. Consequently, this finding demonstrates that there is a link between fluid reasoning intelligence and MOT capability, especially in conditions of high load (tracking 4 out of 8 targets).

This case report sought to examine in detail the effects of a combined intervention program (NeuroTracker and Memory Training) for recovering memory and attentional functions in an older individual.

1 healthy 80 year old male with frequent memory complaints underwent 32 NeuroTracker sessions of Sustain mode over 12 months, alongside Memory Training based on consciously learned mnemonic strategies. The patient completed a robust pre-mid-post training battery of tests on memory, quality of life and stress.

At the post-assessment stage, training proved effective for gains in sustained and alternatingattention, with above-average cognitive flexibility. Assessments for memory accuracy and processingspeeds showed a steadily rising curve. Improvements were evident in self-perceived attention,memory, quality of life and self-confidence. A reduction in stress symptoms was observed withmeasured improvements in physical, psychological and environmental domains. NeuroTracker scoresshowed a rising curve throughout the training program.Based on the case report findings, the researchers suggested such cognitive training programs shouldbe made available in private and public institutions for elderly care to improve quality of life and delaythe signs of senility during the aging process.