Brain Gym Program Shows Real-World Benefits
BY RYAN GLATT, MS, CPT, NBC-HWC
SANTA MONICA, CA, March 27, 2026 — We are excited to announce that our Brain Wellness & Lifestyle team at Pacific Neuroscience Institute (PNI), in collaboration with Asbury Communities, Inc, have published a new research paper, which is the first to report on the feasibility and cognitive benefits of a program that combines dual-task training and exergaming in a single “brain gym” program in a real-world setting.
This study examined a “brain gym” program for older adults that integrated dual-task training with multiple exergaming systems into a weekly, structured intervention delivered over 12 months. Participants attended anywhere from 8 to 24 sessions, and we found that they saw cognitive improvements in as little as two months.
Our results showed the model to be feasible and safe, with improvements in global cognition, particularly in processing speed and executive function. These findings are consistent with prior findings in exergaming and dual-task training interventions, and it will be interesting to test the cognitive benefits of different approaches in the future.
What’s most exciting is not just the outcomes but the “brain gym” model itself. This approach reflects how programs are actually delivered in the real world and suggests that multimodal, cognitively engaging exercise, delivered consistently over time, can benefit cognition.
While preliminary, this work points toward a future of more integrated, scalable brain health interventions that move beyond single-modality solutions and better align with real-world implementation.