BRAIN STIMULATION Workshop 8 1

Content of Workshop Recap Workshop 7 and Self Care Journey • Brain Training, its importance and benefits • Specific Brain Training exercises & activities • Research that supports Brain Training • An introduction to BrainHQ • Demonstration

Workshop 8: Learning Objectives Explain how brain stimulation increases the plasticity of the brain List the benefits of Brain Training Describe how BrainHQ can be used to train the brain Explain how research continues to show the importance of brain training in maintaining cognitive function Identify which exercises and activities specifically improve brain function Implement brain training exercises and activities to help improve cognitive response

Recap of Workshop 7 • Why physical activity improves cognitive function • Information on Gyms/Home Exercise/Group & Club Exercise, Equipment and Exercise Monitors • 6 Steps to Help You Stay Motivated

In a Nutshell • Regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50% • Exercise stimulates the brain’s ability to maintain old connections as well as make new ones • It’s never too late to start! Remember Olga

Self Care Journey Home Study • How did you get on? • How did you find using the self coaching questions? • What progress are you making with your Self Care Planning?

Brain plasticity……. The ability of the brain, at any age to adapt and change (for better or worse) The brain’s lifelong capacity for physical and functional change Brain stimulation has been shown: To increase the plasticity of the brain By challenging and stretching the brain new connections are created and maintained 7

6 Core trends affecting the brain with ageing Brightness: Tired thinking and acting Speed: Slower processing Accuracy: Missing the details Recognition: Poorer understanding Clarity: Interference from a noisy world Recording: Poorer ability to control learning, or ‘rise to the occasion’ 8

Why Brain stimulation? More Focus Navigation Memory Brain Speed As well as improving plasticity brain stimulation has shown improvements in… More Focus Navigation Memory Brain Speed Better Mood People Skills Attention Intelligence Safer Driving

Research - Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Cognitive Training (CT) has shown promise in the treatment of AD, helping learning, memory, executive functioning, activities of daily living, general cognitive problems, depression, and self-rated general functioning. (Sitzer et al 2006) “There is some evidence that the ageing brain is malleable and that cognitive function can be facilitated through cognitive training or engagement in demanding tasks that provide a sustained cognitive challenge.” (Park, 2013) Results indicate that memory training can result in significant neural changes that are measurable with brain imaging. They also show that the brains of people with mild cognitive impairment remain highly plastic. (Beville et al, 2011) 10

How can we stimulate the brain????

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Gargling – several times per day. This activates muscles at the back of the throat which stimulate the vagus nerve and gastrointestinal tract. Singing loudly – again this activates muscles at the back of the throat which activate the vagus nerve. Gagging – activate your gag reflex when you brush your teeth. Place the toothbrush towards the back of your tongue and press down. Careful not to jab the toothbrush against the back of your throat. 12

Ways to stimulate the brain Sudoku Games Table Tennis Write Crossword Read 13

Ways to stimulate the brain cont …… Converse with Neighbours Theatre Talk to yourself Break Routine Lectures New Routes Ways to stimulate the brain cont …… 14

Other ways to stimulate the brain Try New Things Cook new recipes Listen to new/different music New Smells 15

ACTIVITY Can you think of any other activities that may be helpful for you or others to maintain brain health and plasticity?

Meditation The right and the left side of the brain are responsible for very different functions

Brain Training - BrainHQ

BrainHQ BrainHQ is a brain-​training system built and tested by an international team of top neuroscientists and other brain experts BrainHQ is proven to work—dozens of published papers, which show real benefits from using the exercises Cytoplan is utilising this brain training programme 19

Research Processing Speed                                                                                                                                                        The IMPACT Study- Training with BrainHQ increased auditory processing speed by 135%. For people in their 60s and 70s, this change meant they could process speech at the same rate as an average 30-something. People in the “control” group watched educational videos instead of using BrainHQ, and did not significantly improve. Published Research on BrainHQ and Processing Speed Perhaps the most important goal of BrainHQ training is to speed up your brain’s processing. That’s because quick, accurate processing of information that comes in Research Processing Speed An average increase in auditory processing speed of 135% and doubling in visual processing speed (measurement of brain age) Attention Significant changes in brain behaviour in ways that improve selective visual attention - eg ignoring distracting images Memory An average improvement of 10 years in memory Everyday Cognition People feel more capable in daily activities 20

Research Vision and Hearing                                                                                                                                                        The IMPACT Study- Training with BrainHQ increased auditory processing speed by 135%. For people in their 60s and 70s, this change meant they could process speech at the same rate as an average 30-something. People in the “control” group watched educational videos instead of using BrainHQ, and did not significantly improve. Published Research on BrainHQ and Processing Speed Perhaps the most important goal of BrainHQ training is to speed up your brain’s processing. That’s because quick, accurate processing of information that comes in Research Vision and Hearing Improvement in the ability to hear in noisy or crowded places. Mood and control Felt more confident and greater control over their lives Physical brain change Increase in white matter of the brain and neural response to speech Safer Driving 38% fewer dangerous driving manoeuvres 21

Research Health Balance and Fall Risk Increase in self-rated health                                                                                                                                                        The IMPACT Study- Training with BrainHQ increased auditory processing speed by 135%. For people in their 60s and 70s, this change meant they could process speech at the same rate as an average 30-something. People in the “control” group watched educational videos instead of using BrainHQ, and did not significantly improve. Published Research on BrainHQ and Processing Speed Perhaps the most important goal of BrainHQ training is to speed up your brain’s processing. That’s because quick, accurate processing of information that comes in Research Health Increase in self-rated health Balance and Fall Risk Using a set of BrainHQ exercises for 20–30 hours resulted in significantly higher scores on measures of balance and gait 22

Attention - Exercises 23

BrainHQ Exercises 29 brain training exercises focusing on: Attention Brain speed Memory People skills Intelligence Navigation 24

Demo – Double Decision, Visual Sweeps, Scene Crasher http://www.brainhq.com/active-study-results?lead_id=google-search-text-custom- ACTIVE_Study&gclid=CO7DmeLB6c8CFUUq0wodQTUBbQ http://www.brainhq.com/welcome#train/brain_speed/1/0/0 http://www.brainhq.com/welcome#train/memory/9/0/0

How to access BrainHQ Go to www.brainhq.com Click subscribe Sign up for £9 per month or £66 per year *currently on offer You will be sent daily and weekly tasks/ targets It will track performance and set appropriate exercises based on performance 26

Summary of today Brain stimulation, its importance and benefits Ways to stimulate the brain Research that supports brain stimulation Specific brain training exercises & activities Practical exercise or demonstration

Homestudy Module Week 8 Well Done! Keep Self Care Planning Follow the Programme .

Feedback questionnaires Feedback is welcome – please complete now and hand-in on your way out. Thank you !