Facebook pixel
Go to home page
Go to home page

Effects of Online Brain Training on Self-Reported Mental Health Symptoms for Generally Healthy Adults During COVID-19

A smiling young woman engages in online SMART training on her home computer.

Brain and Behavior

Sarah A. Laane, Lori G. Cook, Jeffrey S. Spence, Michelle N. Harris and Sandra Bond Chapman

Read full research article

Overview

Conducted amid the escalating mental health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study analyzes data from 145 generally healthy adults participating in The BrainHealth Project.Participants engaged in 12 weeks of online, self-paced Strategic Memory Advanced Reasoning Tactics (SMART™) training and used the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) to self-report symptoms of anxiety and depression pre- and post-training. Following online SMART training, participants showed improvements in depression, anxiety and stress, evidenced by self-reported symptoms on the DASS-21. Participants who repeated the DASS-21 six months post-training also reported maintained or continued improvements in mental health symptomatology. Researchers observe no significant effect of gender in this study, but findings motivate additional research into how education and age may influence the impact of SMART training. At this time, findings suggest that SMART provides a low-cost, high-impact way to support public mental health among generally healthy adults.
Figure 4: Change in Depression Pre to Post SMART.

Figure 3. Statically significant decrease in self-reported symptoms of depression (p < .001), anxiety (p = .011), and stress (p < .001).

Share this article

Lori Cook, PhD, CCC-SLP

Director of Clinical Research Head of Research, The BrainHealth Project Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences

Jeffrey S. Spence, PhD

Director of Biostatistics

Sandra Bond Chapman, PhD

Chief Director Dee Wyly Distinguished Professor, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences Co-Leader, The BrainHealth Project

Related Information

BrainHealth Research Demonstrates Positive Impact of Online SMART Training

Newly published research demonstrates the effectiveness of online delivery of SMART. Findings from a recent study suggest that participating in the training may have a long-term impact, with participants experiencing reduced depression and stress for at least six months post-training.

A Novel BrainHealth Index Prototype Improved by Telehealth-Delivered Training During COVID-19

This groundbreaking study examines the potential to revolutionize global health using a holistic, personalized measure of brain fitness (the BrainHealth® Index) in conjunction with SMART™ Brain Training.

Precision BrainHealth: Groundbreaking Study Establishes a Personalized Measure and Training Protocols, With Potential to Revolutionize Global Health

Center for BrainHealth trial unveils BrainHealth Index as powerful new tool in quest for lifelong brain health.

Our Programs

Explore our wide range of offerings that apply SMART strategies to training for every walk of life — for adolescents to corporate executives, teachers to warriors or athletes, first responders to people with social skills challenges or brain performance concerns.

Concierge BrainHealth Index

Monitoring fitness is just as essential for your brain as for your body. Learn about your brain's current state of performance and to improve it. Gain personalized feedback and strategies that can give you a mental edge.