Do brain games improve everyday memory after concussion?
What practice games can and cannot do for memory, recovery and readiness to drive
Maybe a friend sent you a link. Maybe an ad promised a sharper memory in a few minutes a day. After a crash or a hard hit on the field, that pitch can sound like exactly what you need.
So you play every night. Your scores climb. Yet you still lose track of what your boss said this morning. You still miss the dentist appointment you were sure you would remember.
That gap is common. Studies of brain training, including trials in people with concussion and other brain injuries, help explain why progress on a game often stays on the screen.
What a brain game trains, and what it leaves out
Most brain games are short, timed puzzles. You might match shapes, hold a string of numbers in mind, or tap a target as fast as you can. The program makes each level harder as you improve.
Researchers use the word “transfer” for the question of whether practice on one task helps with another. Near transfer means getting better at a task that looks a lot like the game. Far transfer means getting better at something quite different, such as remembering a conversation or finding your car in a parking garage.
In 2016, a team of psychologists published a large review of the science behind brain training. They looked closely at 132 journal articles, drawn from the studies that supporters and leading companies themselves pointed to [8]. People did improve on the tasks they practiced [1]. Evidence was thinner for closely related tasks. There was very little evidence for distant tasks or for everyday thinking [1].
The team also found design problems. Some studies had no comparison group at all. Others compared trainees with people doing very different things, such as crossword puzzles, so the groups may have expected different results [8]. Many studies fell short of best research practice [1].
Why practice helps the game more than your day
A game asks you to do one narrow thing, in a quiet setting, with clear rules and instant feedback. Real life is messier. Remembering a coworker’s request means paying attention while other things happen, linking it to what you already know, and recalling it later at the right moment.
A 2019 public education article from the Society for Neuroscience put it plainly: getting better at one task will not make you better at something else [9]. If there is a particular skill you want to improve, the article advised, you are probably better off practicing that skill [9].
The 2016 review and the 2019 article looked at brain training in general. They did not focus on people with brain injury, so the sections below turn to that research.
Why the ads can sound so convincing
Brain game ads often use science words and show charts of rising scores. Those charts may be accurate. They usually show progress on the game itself.
In January 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the federal agency that polices false advertising, settled charges against the company behind Lumosity. The FTC said the company claimed its games would help people perform better on everyday tasks, at school and at work [10]. The ads also claimed the games could reduce thinking problems linked to stroke, traumatic brain injury, PTSD and ADHD [10].
Jessica Rich, who led the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said the company lacked the science to support what its ads promised [10]. The order set a $50 million judgment, suspended once the company paid $2 million [10]. The company also had to hold solid, reliable scientific proof before making similar claims in the future [10].
Scientists had raised concerns before that case. In 2014, a group of 75 researchers from several countries signed a consensus statement saying claims for brain games were often exaggerated [9].
What studies in people with brain injury show
Research on computer training after brain injury is smaller and mixed. It includes children and adults, and injuries ranging from concussion to severe TBI. That makes it hard to say what any one person should expect.
Reviews that combine many studies
A systematic review gathers and grades every study on a question. One such review, published in 2016, found 13 studies of computer based rehab in children, teens and adults with TBI [11]. Twelve of the 13 used weaker study designs, the results were inconsistent. The authors concluded the evidence could neither support nor rule out a benefit [11].
A 2025 meta analysis, which pools the numbers from several studies, combined 16 studies of digital training in people with TBI. Nine used computer programs and seven used virtual reality [5]. Pooled results showed gains on tests of overall thinking, attention and executive function, the skills used to plan and organize [5]. There was no significant gain in memory or processing speed, and no significant change in activities of daily living [5]. The published summary did not report injury severity or time since injury.
A trial in people with concussion
One of the larger trials focused on mild TBI, the medical term that includes concussion. Published in 2021, it enrolled 83 people, mostly military members and veterans [6]. On average they were about seven years past their injury and still had thinking problems [6].
About half trained at home on a commercial program for an hour a day, five days a week, for 13 weeks, with a weekly coaching call [6]. The comparison group played ordinary computer games such as hangman and mahjong [6].
The training group improved more on a combined score from several thinking tests, and that edge was still there three months later [6]. On a measure of how well people handled daily tasks, the two groups did not differ. Both groups reported similar drops in thinking and mood symptoms [6].
The company that makes the program sponsored the trial. The study also enrolled fewer people than planned, which lowered its power to find differences [6].
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
What studies of brain training have found
| Study | Who was studied | What improved | What did not change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 review of brain training research | Training studies in general | Scores on practiced tasks | Everyday thinking (very little evidence) |
| 2016 review of computer rehab | 13 studies, children to adults with TBI | Results were mixed | No firm conclusion either way |
| 2025 meta analysis of digital training | 16 studies of people with TBI | Attention, planning skills, overall test scores | Memory, speed, daily living |
| 2021 home training trial | 83 adults with mild TBI, mostly military | Combined thinking test score | Daily task measure; symptoms improved in both groups |
Sources: Simons and colleagues 2016 [1]; Politis and Norman 2016 [11]; Chi and colleagues 2025 [5]; Mahncke and colleagues 2021 [6].
What concussion and brain injury guidelines advise
Clinical guidelines weigh the whole body of evidence and turn it into advice for care teams. On computer training, the main ones point the same way.
The VA/DoD mild TBI guideline, last revised in 2021 for military and veterans’ health care, suggests against self administered computer training programs as cognitive rehab after mild TBI [2]. For people with memory, attention or planning problems, it points instead to a brief course of therapy run by a trained clinician [2]. That advice applies once other factors, such as sleep, pain, mood, headache and balance problems, are being managed [2].
The guideline notes that a short trial of about 4 to 6 sessions may be enough to show whether rehab is helping [2]. The focus of that rehab is education and strategies for daily function [2].
INCOG 2.0, an international guideline on thinking skills after TBI that was updated in 2023, reaches similar conclusions. For attention, it does not recommend practice on computer tasks that are cut off from daily life, because there is little proof the gains carry over [3]. It does recommend coaching people to plan, monitor and adjust their own performance during everyday activities [3]. The INCOG memory guideline, written mainly for moderate to severe TBI, says computer training should be done with a therapist’s guidance [4].
What helps everyday memory more directly
Some tools work by doing the remembering for you. A calendar alert, a checklist app or a paper planner holds the information so your memory does not have to. A factsheet from the TBI Model Systems information center notes that phone apps with calendars and checklists can help [12]. The INCOG memory guideline prefers electronic reminders, such as smartphones, among external memory aids [4].
The VA/DoD guideline describes assistive technology that ranges from a watch with an alarm to a device that does many jobs [2]. These tools support daily life right away. A brain game tries to change an underlying skill and hopes the change spreads.
Other factors can drag memory down too. INCOG advises care teams to check hearing, vision, fatigue, sleep, mood, pain, substance use and medicines before planning attention treatment [3]. The VA/DoD guideline likewise expects sleep, pain, mood and headaches to be managed as part of care for memory complaints [2].
Simple habits help as well. The MSKTC suggests learning new information in a quiet place, putting common items back in the same spot, and linking new facts to a mental picture [12].
Imagine a 41 year old delivery driver who had a concussion in a rear end crash. Her goal is to stop missing stops on her route. Her therapist might combine a printed route sheet, phone alerts, and a habit of checking the list at every stop. Screen practice could play a small part, but success is measured by fewer missed stops.
Before you pay for a program
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- Does the company claim to treat concussion, TBI or memory loss? Ask which studies support that claim.
- Were those studies done in people with brain injury, or in healthy adults?
- Did the studies compare the program with another activity, such as ordinary games?
- Did they measure daily life at work, school or home, or only test scores?
- Was the research paid for by the company that sells the program?
- Can your care team explain how the program fits your goals?
- Is there a free trial and a clear way to cancel?
Game scores, recovery and the driver's seat
After a crash, many people want a clear sign that they are getting better. A game score feels like a tidy number. Scores often rise simply because you keep practicing the game [1].
Recovery shows up in daily life. Are you forgetting fewer appointments? Can you follow a meeting without the details slipping away? Changes like these matter most, and game studies have had the hardest time showing them [5, 6].
Driving is its own test
Driving asks a lot at once. It draws on focus, memory, reaction time, judgment and vision [7]. A memory problem might show up as forgetting where you were headed or how to get there [7].
No game score can tell you whether you are safe behind the wheel. Studies of brain training in general have failed to show real world gains such as better driving [9]. If you or your family have doubts, a driving evaluation is the better path.
A certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS) is trained to help drivers with special needs [7]. An evaluation often has two parts: an office assessment, then a road test in which an evaluator grades your driving in different traffic conditions [7]. Laws differ by state. Some states ask the motor vehicle agency to test you even if your license is still valid [7].
Playing for fun and keeping it in its place
You do not have to delete your favorite puzzle app. Games can be relaxing. Some are a nice way to spend time with family. After a concussion, complete rest is not recommended. Light mental activity may help recovery [13].
Play for enjoyment and keep your expectations modest. Watch how you feel while you play. If symptoms get worse, or new ones appear, you may be pushing yourself too hard [13]. Shorter sessions, larger text or a break from screens for a few days may help.
Get emergency care right away
Some symptoms after a head injury are emergencies. Call 911 or go to an emergency department right away if you have any of these CDC danger signs [14]:
- A headache that keeps getting worse and does not go away.
- Weakness, numbness, decreased coordination, convulsions or seizures.
- Vomiting again and again.
- Slurred speech or unusual behavior.
- Pupils that do not match, with one (the dark center of the eye) bigger than the other.
- Not recognizing people or places, or feeling confused, restless or agitated.
- Losing consciousness, seeming very drowsy, or not waking up when someone tries to wake you.
A few habits keep games in a healthy place:
- Set a time limit and stop before you feel drained.
- Choose games you enjoy, including ones you can play with family or friends.
- Keep your calendar, alerts and checklists as your main memory supports [12].
- Track real goals in a notebook, such as missed appointments each week, and share them with your care team.
Most people with a concussion recover within a week to a few months, while some people need longer and more targeted care [13]. If memory problems still get in the way of work, school or home life, a short trial of guided rehab is the step guidelines suggest [2].
Questions to ask your care team
Question checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- Would a short trial of cognitive rehab make sense for my memory problems?
- Could sleep, pain, mood, headaches or my medicines be making my memory worse right now?
- Is there a computer program you would use with me, and how would it connect to my daily goals?
- How will we measure progress at home and at work, beyond test scores?
- Are the games I play for fun okay for my symptoms, and how long should I play at a time?
- Should I have a driving evaluation before I drive again or take longer trips?
- Does my state have driving rules after a brain injury that apply to me?
- Which memory aids, such as phone alerts or checklists, would suit my routine?
Frequently asked questions
Can playing brain games make my concussion worse?
Casual games are a form of mental activity. Light mental activity is generally encouraged after a concussion [13]. Worsening or new symptoms can be a sign that you are doing too much [13]. If screens bring on headaches or dizziness, cut back and tell your care team. Any danger sign in the emergency box above needs a 911 call right away [14].
Is computer based rehab the same as a brain game app?
No. In rehab, a clinician chooses tasks for your goals and coaches you on strategies for daily life. Guidelines support guided work of that kind and advise against relying on programs you run alone [2, 4].
Do rising scores mean my memory is better?
Higher scores show that you are learning the game. They do not show that your everyday memory has improved, or that you are ready for complex tasks such as driving [1, 7]. Look for changes in daily life, like fewer missed appointments.
Why did one trial find benefits if guidelines advise against these programs?
The 2021 trial in mild TBI found better test scores, but no difference on its daily task measure. It was company funded and smaller than planned [6]. Guidelines weigh all of the studies together, and that larger body of evidence remains mixed [11, 5].
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Brain games can be a pleasant way to pass the time, and that is fine. The research says they mostly make you better at the games. When memory problems affect your work, home life or driving, a better path is a short trial of guided rehab. Add practical memory tools, plus care for sleep, pain and mood.
If you are unsure whether you are ready to drive, ask your care team about a driving evaluation, since a game score cannot answer that question.
Sources and further reading
- 1Simons DJ, Boot WR, Charness N, et al. Do “brain-training” programs work? Psychological Science in the Public Interest. 2016;17(3). psychologicalscience.org/…/brain-training.html
- 2Management and Rehabilitation of Post-Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Work Group. VA/DoD clinical practice guideline for the management and rehabilitation of post-acute mild traumatic brain injury, provider summary. Version 3.0. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense; 2021. healthquality.va.gov/…/VADoDmTBICPGProviderSummary…
- 3Ponsford J, Velikonja D, Janzen S, et al. INCOG 2.0 guidelines for cognitive rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury, part II: attention and information processing speed. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2023;38(1):38-51. research.monash.edu/…/incog-20-guidelines-for-cog…
- 4Velikonja D, Ponsford J, Janzen S, et al. INCOG 2.0 guidelines for cognitive rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury, part V: memory. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2023;38(1):83-102. doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0000000000000837
- 5Chi K, Chen J, Zhou S, Han Z. The effectiveness of digital cognitive intervention in patients with traumatic brain injury: systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology. 2025;16. doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2025.1651443
- 6Mahncke HW, DeGutis J, Levin H, et al. A randomized clinical trial of plasticity-based cognitive training in mild traumatic brain injury. Brain. 2021;144:1994-2008. doi.org/10.1093/brain/awab202
- 7Novack T, Marwitz J, Hollis S, Rapport L, Klebine P. Driving after traumatic brain injury. Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center; 2024. msktc.org/…/driving-after-traumatic-bra…
- 8University of Illinois College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Researchers: little evidence brain-training games yield real-world benefits. October 3, 2016. las.illinois.edu/…/researchers-little-evidence…
- 9Michalowski J. Do brain-training games make you smarter? BrainFacts.org, Society for Neuroscience. January 30, 2019. brainfacts.org/…/do-brain-training-games-mak…
- 10Federal Trade Commission. Lumosity to pay $2 million to settle FTC deceptive advertising charges for its “brain training” program. January 5, 2016. ftc.gov/…/lumosity-pay-2-million-sett…
- 11Politis A, Norman R. Computer-based cognitive rehabilitation for individuals with traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. Perspectives of the ASHA Special Interest Groups. 2016;1(2):18-46. doi:10.1044/persp1.SIG2.18. labs.uthscsa.edu/…/computer-based-cognitive-re…
- 12Neumann D, Lequerica A. Cognitive problems after traumatic brain injury. Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center; 2020. msktc.org/…/cognitive-problems-after-tr…
- 13Hanks R, Bell K, Dreer L. Concussion recovery. Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. Accessed October 2026. msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/concussion-recovery
- 14Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms of mild TBI and concussion. Updated September 15, 2025. cdc.gov/…/index.html
This article reflects the safety priorities of brain injury recovery and road safety education. It offers general education only and is not medical advice. Product claims, guidelines and state driving rules change, so check official sources and talk with your own care team about your situation. Reviewed October 2026.
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