Belfast, Northern Ireland -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/15/2011 -- Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast are conducting a study to investigate user experience during puzzle games. To this end they have developed an iPhone / iPod Touch application named 'Brain Jog'. It’s the first step in a larger study which will investigate how effective so called ‘brain training’ apps can be in preventing cognitive decline / dementia and is designed for those aged 50+.

Brain Jog consists of 4 mini games designed to test 4 main areas of cognition: Spatial ability, working memory, arithmetic ability and verbal fluency. Games for seniors have steadily been gaining in popularity. Now research is being conducted to identify exactly what it is that seniors want. Brain Jog’s design is unique in that it is the result of one and a half year’s research and collaboration with those over the age of 50. To participate, simply download the application for free (link below). Start it, answer a few questions, then play the games. It’s as easy as that. There are no obligations, play as frequently as you like and stop whenever you choose.

Researcher, Donal O’Brien says; “Your participation will help us create a fantastic game experience for those over 50 and bring us one step closer to finding out whether or not ‘brain training’ can act in preventing cognitive decline / dementia”.

Brain Jog can be downloaded from here for free:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/brain-jog/id414035111?mt=8&ls=1.

A video of Brain Jog can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mfWv8WWKOo

Contact:
Donal O’Brien
Re: Brain Jog App
Tel: +44 (0) 754 299 1371
donal@brainjog.org