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N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

n-back.net

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Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#21

Post by creature_x »

I've been using the n-back protocol for over a year and it's definitely improved my cognitive abilities. I don't know if my IQ has increased, but on days where I use this protocol(20-25 minutes) I see a marked improvement in the clarity and vibrancy of my thoughts- put another way this protocol's biggest benefit is it's effectiveness in clearing the mental fog in my head. I've tried experimenting with other protocols(solving crossword/chess puzzles, meditation,etc..)but they were not nearly as effective as n-back.

I've actually built my own variation of n-back(triple n-back), where you're tested on the colour of the stimulus in addition to the sound and position-so it's much more cognitively demanding. If you're interested, you can check it out here: https://mind-workout.pages.dev

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#22

Post by SubiculumCode »

Generalization beyond n-back tasks had not been established, at least at the last time I looked into the field, maybe 8 years ago. There was always the hope that tasks that focused on specific core cognitive processes would lead to broad cognitive improvements, but I am not too confident about it.

One problem in this field has been weak control conditions..e.g. no train conditions. I often thought that a cardio control conditions would be useful. I'd almost guarantee that for most people, 60 minutes a week jogging would lead to better cognitive improvements than 60 minutes of n-back.

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#23

Post by cellularmitosis »

fouc wrote: post #6
gregzeng95 wrote: post #2

Hi HN, I built N-Back.net, a lightweight and responsive Dual N-Back task for working memory training. I was frustrated by the clunky UI and heavy design of most existing n-back tools, so I made something clean, fast, and distraction-free. No login, no ads, no tracking – just cognitive training in your browser. Key features: • Dual mode: visual + auditory • Adaptive difficulty: level up as you improve, drop down if ne…

"do nothing" is too slow, need another key to hit to skip. I would expect a final reaction time of under 100-200ms ideally?

Yes, I would also remove the automatic progression entirely. This should be driven by user input only.

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#25

Post by InkCanon »

My own experience with Dual N-Back 1) I did it for a month. Probably some improvement, although I did not have any specific test done. Probably the most tangible use is really feeling how working memory (and losing it) is like and having better control. In the same way you might suddenly realize how breathing is and controlling it after learning meditation.

2) The study specified dual N back imposes a pretty demanding regiment. It's 12 sessions daily, consecutively for ~month. It takes about 20 minutes each day of intense focus.

3) There's naturally going to be a lot of survivorship bias in reviews. But you could argue it doesn't make your intelligence worse, so there's only net upside.

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#26

Post by kqr »

cellularmitosis wrote: post #23
fouc wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"do nothing" is too slow, need another key to hit to skip. I would expect a final reaction time of under 100-200ms ideally?

Yes, I would also remove the automatic progression entirely. This should be driven by user input only.

I think it's part of the test to have to do it quickly.

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#27

Post by gregzeng95 »

louky wrote: post #13
gregzeng95 wrote: post #2

Hi HN, I built N-Back.net, a lightweight and responsive Dual N-Back task for working memory training. I was frustrated by the clunky UI and heavy design of most existing n-back tools, so I made something clean, fast, and distraction-free. No login, no ads, no tracking – just cognitive training in your browser. Key features: • Dual mode: visual + auditory • Adaptive difficulty: level up as you improve, drop down if ne…

the buttons jumping up and down when correct or incorrect is jarring on my smaller screen, forcing a constant space there or moving the message would be a smoother UX, in my opinion.

Thanks for your suggestion! I am fixing it soon

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#29

Post by Ey7NFZ3P0nzAe »

creature_x wrote: post #21

I've been using the n-back protocol for over a year and it's definitely improved my cognitive abilities. I don't know if my IQ has increased, but on days where I use this protocol(20-25 minutes) I see a marked improvement in the clarity and vibrancy of my thoughts- put another way this protocol's biggest benefit is it's effectiveness in clearing the mental fog in my head. I've tried experimenting with other protocols…

How are you sure that the perceived improvement is due to the n-back and not that you only do n-back on days with abnormally good cognition? Like if you slept very little you obviously wouldn't not perform well nor do the n-back.

Re: N-Back – A Minimal, Adaptive Dual N-Back Game for Brain Training

#30

Post by cellularmitosis »

kqr wrote: post #26
cellularmitosis wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, I would also remove the automatic progression entirely. This should be driven by user input only.

I think it's part of the test to have to do it quickly.

Sorry, I meant I want to be able to do it faster. I don't want to be held up by an automatic progression.
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