Memory games: what they can and cannot do
How to judge brain game claims and play memory games for fun and connection
Ads for brain games promise a sharper memory in a few minutes a day. If you live with memory problems after a brain injury, that promise is hard to ignore. You may wonder whether you should play more, or pay for an app that claims to help.
This guide takes a consumer’s look at memory games. It covers what regulators found when they checked brain training ads and what research shows about practice carrying over to daily life. You will also learn how to size up a game before you spend money on it, and how to play in ways that fit your recovery. For a research summary focused on concussion, see Do brain games improve everyday memory after concussion?
What counts as a memory game
People use “memory game” for very different things. It helps to know which kind you are looking at.
- Brain training apps are sold online, often by subscription, with daily workouts and scores.
- Everyday games such as card matching, word games, crosswords, trivia and board games ask you to hold information in mind.
- Clinic programs use computer tasks chosen by a rehabilitation therapist, who also coaches you.
- Free practice games on some health and nonprofit websites, including this one, are made for enjoyment and learning.
The biggest difference among them is whether a trained person links the practice to your daily goals. The research below suggests that link matters.
What regulators found in brain training ads
In January 2016, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. agency that acts against false advertising, settled charges against Lumos Labs, the maker of Lumosity [1]. The FTC said the company’s ads claimed its games would improve performance at work, at school and in sports [1]. Other claims said the games could delay dementia and ease thinking problems tied to stroke, traumatic brain injury, PTSD and ADHD [1]. The agency said the company did not have the science to back up those claims [1].
The company agreed to pay $2 million, and a $50 million judgment was suspended because of its finances [1]. It settled without admitting or denying the charges [2]. Some glowing customer stories came from contests with prizes such as an iPad, and the FTC said the ads hid that fact [1].
Under the order, the company needs competent and reliable scientific evidence before it makes such claims again [1]. It also had to tell some subscribers on automatic renewal plans about the case and give them an easy way to cancel [1].
If a game says it helps a brain injury, that is a health claim. A famous brand name is no proof that it is true, so ask to see the evidence.
Does practice carry over to daily life?
Researchers talk about near transfer and far transfer. Near transfer means you get better at the game, or at tasks very much like it. Far transfer means the gain spreads to different tasks in real life, such as remembering where you parked or what your doctor said.
Most ads hint at far transfer. Psychologists have pointed out that better studies are still needed on whether game effects transfer and how long they last [2].
For people with a brain injury, the clearest guidance comes from INCOG 2.0, an international set of cognitive rehabilitation guidelines published in 2023. They advise against practicing standalone computer attention tasks, because there is no evidence the gains spread to daily life [3]. Practicing a real everyday task, such as following a conversation with background noise, may improve that task [3]. For memory, the guidelines say any computer training should be done with a therapist guiding it [4].
Patient materials say much the same. One from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) states that memory drills and brain training offer little real help [5]. It adds that science has found few ways to bring back lost memory ability itself [5]. An NHS brain injury leaflet from England reaches the same verdict: studies have not shown that brain training makes memory better [6].
There is some hopeful research too. A 2014 review found seven small studies of computer memory training after an acquired brain injury, with 11 to 38 people in each [7]. All seven reported gains on memory measures, and some found gains on questionnaires about daily life [7]. An earlier review of memory technology called computer training promising, but said the proof that it works was still limited [8].
Taken together, practice tends to help the task you practice. Gains from games played alone have not been shown to carry over to daily life. Programs guided by a therapist show some promise, but the studies are small.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
What the evidence says about common game claims
| Claim you might see | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| “Improves your memory in everyday life” | Brain injury guidelines advise against computer attention drills done alone because the gains have not been shown to carry over [3], and they say computer memory training needs a therapist’s guidance [4] |
| “Helps you recover from a brain injury” | The FTC said one major company lacked science for its claims about brain injury and stroke |
| “Delays memory decline or dementia” | The FTC charged that this claim by one major company was deceptive, and the company settled in 2016 |
| “Clinically proven” | Ask which studies, done in which people, and whether they measured daily life or only game scores |
| “Watch your score climb” | Scores usually rise as you learn a game, which is different from better memory in daily life |
| “Designed by brain scientists” | Who designed a game says nothing about whether it works; look for published results |
How to check a memory game before you pay
You can size up most games in 10 minutes with a few questions. If you are unsure, bring your notes to your next therapy visit.
Checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Memory game claim checklist
- Does it say it can treat, cure or reverse a brain injury, dementia, ADHD or another health problem?
- Can you find the studies it mentions, published where you or your care team can read them?
- Were those studies done with people like you, such as adults with a brain injury?
- Did the studies measure daily life, or only scores on tasks like the game?
- Were the studies paid for by the company, and has anyone independent tested the game?
- Are the reviews and success stories from real users, or from contests and paid offers?
- Does a free trial turn into a paid plan, and how easy is it to cancel?
- What personal information does it collect, and can you delete your account?
- Does your therapist or doctor think it fits your goals?
A game that fails several of these checks may still be fun. Just do not pay extra for a promise of recovery.
What memory games can offer
Games do not need to be therapy to be worth your time. A good game can be fun and give you a reason to sit with someone you love. Learning the rules can also bring a small sense of success.
Shared games can be especially good for this. A UK brain injury charity suggests simple games played together, such as word games or card matching that starts small and slowly gets harder [9]. Playing with a grandchild, a partner or a friend turns practice into time together, and nobody needs to keep score.
Keep the tradeoff in mind. Time spent on games is time not spent on other things that may also help your thinking, such as exercise, time with friends or reading [2]. For more on those, see the research on music, hobbies and learning a new skill.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Good uses and poor uses of memory games
| Good use | Poor use |
|---|---|
| A card game with family, played for fun | Hours of solo play in hopes of fixing your memory |
| A short game during a planned break, if screens do not bother you | Swapping therapy or memory aids for games |
| Learning a new game together | Using scores to decide if you can drive or return to work |
| Something enjoyable on a low day | Paying for a subscription because an ad promised recovery |
| Practicing a real daily task your therapist has chosen | Tracking daily scores as proof of recovery |
How to play well after a brain injury
A few habits keep games enjoyable and safe for your recovery.
- Keep sessions short, and stop before you feel worn out. Mental fatigue can make memory worse, so read why memory seems worse when you are tired.
- If screens bring on headaches or eye strain, switch to cards or a board game.
- Turn off timers, sounds and leaderboards if they make you tense.
- Do not treat daily scores as a measure of recovery. Many things affect attention, including sleep, fatigue, pain, mood, hearing, vision and medicines [3].
- Play with other people when you can.
If you want to get better at a certain daily task, practice that task directly, with help from your therapist [3]. Pair it with the memory aids you use every day, since aids are the main approach for severe memory problems [4]. In one small study, people coached online to use a calendar used memory strategies more often afterward [10]. Their memory test scores did not change [10].
A game score is not a driving test
Driving draws on many skills at once. They include staying in your lane, seeing clearly, focusing for long periods, remembering directions, solving problems, hand and eye coordination, reaction time and judgment [11]. Even mild thinking problems that a person does not notice can raise driving risk [11].
A memory or reaction game tests a small slice of one or two skills. You play it in a quiet room, with no traffic and nothing at stake. A high score does not show that you can handle a busy intersection.
There is no single standard driving test after a brain injury [11]. A typical evaluation has two parts [11]. One checks thinking, reaction time and judgment in a clinic, and the other takes place on the road or in a driving simulator [11]. Specialists certified in driver rehabilitation often do these evaluations [11]. The same fact sheet notes research suggesting that most survivors are not fully evaluated before they drive again [11]. For the steps, see returning to driving after brain injury.
The same caution applies to work. A good score does not show that you can manage a full workday with interruptions. For help with that, see memory problems at work.
How the games on this site fit in
Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation offers free memory games, including the memory practice game, on its memory support and practice page. They are meant as recreational or educational practice. You can use them for a friendly few minutes alone, or as something to share with a person you love.
They are not therapy and they are not a medical test. They cannot tell you whether you are ready to drive or work, and they do not replace your care team, your memory aids or rehabilitation. Play them if you enjoy them, and skip them if you do not. There is no need to track your results.
When to talk to your care team
If you hope a game will fix memory problems that get in the way of daily life, ask your care team about memory rehabilitation instead. A therapist can choose practice tied to your goals and teach you strategies and aids. See what actually happens in memory rehabilitation.
Watch for warning signs as well. Sudden confusion, new weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, a seizure, or a severe or worsening headache means call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If your memory drops off over hours or days, get medical care right away too. More signs are listed in the red flag checklist for concussion and TBI.
Questions to ask your care team
Question checklist from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
- Is there a memory or attention game you would suggest for me, and what should I expect from it?
- Would a computer program guided by a therapist fit my goals?
- Which daily task should I practice directly instead of playing a game?
- How long can I use screens before I need a break?
- Which memory aids would help me more than games?
- When should I have a driving evaluation, and who does them near me?
- Could sleep, mood, pain or my medicines be affecting my memory?
Frequently asked questions
Do brain training games work after a brain injury?
They mostly make you better at the games themselves. Brain injury guidelines advise against computer attention drills done alone because the gains have not been shown to carry over to daily life [3]. They also say computer memory training needs a therapist’s guidance [4].
Why did Lumosity pay $2 million to the FTC?
In 2016 the FTC charged that Lumosity’s ads claimed benefits for school, work, dementia and brain injury without scientific support [1]. The company agreed to pay $2 million to settle the charges and to back future claims with solid evidence [1]. The FTC called the money redress, meaning repayment for consumers, not a fine [1].
Can memory games prevent dementia?
Do not count on it. The FTC charged that one company’s claim about delaying dementia was deceptive, and the company settled in 2016 [1]. Psychologists say better research on brain games is still needed [2].
Are free memory games as good as paid brain training apps?
For fun and social play, a free game or a deck of cards can do the same job. A higher price does not mean a game is more likely to help your memory in daily life.
Can a memory game tell me if I am ready to drive?
No. Driving uses many skills at the same time. A driving evaluation, with a clinic part and a road part, is the way to check them [11].
How long should I play memory games each day?
No amount has been proven to help memory. Play for as long as it stays fun, and stop before you feel tired or get a headache.
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
Play memory games because you enjoy them, ideally with someone you love, and keep sessions short. Be skeptical of any game that promises to heal a brain injury or prevent dementia. For real changes in daily memory, lean on memory aids and ask your care team about rehabilitation. Leave driving decisions to a proper driving evaluation.
Related articles
Sources and further reading
- 1Federal Trade Commission. “Lumosity to Pay $2 Million to Settle FTC Deceptive Advertising Charges for Its ‘Brain Training’ Program.” FTC press release, 2016. ftc.gov/…/lumosity-pay-2-million-settl…
- 2Robbennolt JK. “‘Brain games’: Helpful tool or false promise?” Monitor on Psychology, American Psychological Association, 2016. apa.org/…/jn
- 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. experts.mcmaster.ca/…/2687085
- 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. experts.mcmaster.ca/…/2687674
- 5Vanderbilt University Medical Center Traumatic Brain Injury Center, with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. “Memory After a TBI.” MSKTC content, 2018. vumc.org/…/111
- 6Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. “Brain injury and memory” (acquired brain injury leaflet). NHS, 2020. cwp.nhs.uk/…/brain-injury-and-memory-acqu…
- 7Spreij LA, Visser-Meily JMA, van Heugten CM, Nijboer TCW. “Novel insights into the rehabilitation of memory post acquired brain injury: a systematic review.” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 2014. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/…/PMC4267268
- 8Kapur N, Glisky EL, Wilson BA. “Technological memory aids for people with memory deficits.” Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 2004. eprints.soton.ac.uk/55409
- 9Headway. “How to cope with memory problems after brain injury.” Headway, the brain injury association (UK), 2026. headway.org.uk/…/how-to-cope-with-memory-prob…
- 10Bergquist T, Gehl C, Mandrekar J, et al. “The effect of internet-based cognitive rehabilitation in persons with memory impairments after severe traumatic brain injury.” Brain Injury, 2009 (MSKTC research summary). msktc.org/…/effect-internet-based-cognit…
- 11Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. “Driving After Traumatic Brain Injury,” in TBI Factsheet Booklet. MSKTC, 2021. msktc.org/…/21-15903_TBI_Factsheet_Bookl…
This article reflects the safety priorities of cognitive rehabilitation research and brain injury rehabilitation. It is general education, not medical advice. Check with your care team and official sources about your own situation. Reviewed October 2026.
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