A brand new examine commissioned by NASA has examined the potential advantages of mind coaching for future house missions. The examine, performed utilizing the BrainHQ app, examined 5 high-performing staff from the Johnson Spaceflight Center. The members noticed important enhancements in efficiency on each the app and exams particularly designed by NASA for astronauts.
BrainHQ: A Brain Training App Designed for Astronauts
BrainHQ is a mind coaching program developed by Posit Science. It consists of a sequence of workout routines that purpose to rewire the mind, making it sooner and extra correct. The workout routines are software-based and could be accomplished on a pc, pill, or telephone. During the workout routines, customers are offered with visible or auditory stimuli that grow to be more and more difficult as they progress. The aim is to push the mind to enhance its pace and accuracy, finally enhancing cognitive operate.
Results of the Pilot Study: Promising Findings for Cognitive Performance
In the pilot examine performed by NASA, 5 people who carefully resembled astronauts by way of demographics and job roles participated in mind coaching workout routines on BrainHQ for six weeks. After three classes per week, every lasting roughly one hour, the members had been assessed utilizing NASA’s high-performing cognitive exams. The examine discovered that 4 out of the 5 members confirmed a 78% enchancment in efficiency on the app and a 19% enchancment on the NASA exams.
Implications for Astronaut Training and Space Missions
The optimistic outcomes from this pilot examine counsel that mind coaching utilizing apps like BrainHQ might be useful for astronauts. Enhancing cognitive efficiency is essential for astronauts who have to carry out at their finest whereas dealing with the calls for of house missions. Furthermore, mind coaching may play a job in sustaining mind well being throughout long-distance house journey, reminiscent of an 18-month mission to Mars.
Next Steps and Further Research
While this pilot examine was small in scale, NASA is planning to develop the analysis with a bigger pattern measurement and a management group. It is necessary to find out if BrainHQ outperforms different cognitive stimulation strategies. Additionally, future research might embrace mind imaging to investigate any structural adjustments or biomarkers of mind well being ensuing from mind coaching. Ultimately, the aim is to reveal the effectiveness of mind coaching for precise astronauts and guarantee they’re geared up with optimum cognitive operate for his or her demanding jobs in house.
