In today's fast-paced world, maintaining focus and attention can be a challenge, especially for individuals with cognitive learning difficulties. At THYNK, we recognize the importance of addressing these challenges head-on, which is why we've developed a groundbreaking program that harnesses the power of EEG (electroencephalogram) technology to help improve attention and focus.
Our program, aptly named THYNK, utilizes cutting-edge EEG technology to measure brain activity in real-time, providing users with valuable insights into their attention levels. EEG technology has been a staple in the field of neuroscience for over 50 years, offering a safe and non-invasive method to track brain function as it happens. By using THYNK's EEG headset, individuals can gain a deeper understanding of their attention patterns and learn how to optimize their focus for better cognitive performance.
But THYNK is more than just a measurement tool – it's a comprehensive training program designed to enhance cognitive skills systematically. Unlike other brain training products that focus on isolated skills or provide disjointed training, THYNK takes a holistic approach, targeting 13 cognitive skills in a structured manner. From foundational skills like attention and impulse control to higher-order abilities such as multitasking, THYNK's program is designed to build a solid cognitive foundation that supports success in all areas of life.
In this article, we'll dive into the science behind THYNK, exploring how our program works to improve attention and focus, train cognitive skills, and facilitate the transfer of these skills to real-life situations.
Feed-forward EEG
The THYNK headset uses electroencephalogram or EEG technology to measure your attention and focus. EEG technology has been widely used for over 50 years and is a safe and non-invasive way to measure brain activity as it is happening, like holding a microphone up to the brain. EEG is the technology used in biofeedback treatment of ADHD.
The EEG headset allows the game to directly measure your personal level of attention from moment to moment. By seeing your level of attention, you can begin to better understand what paying attention feels like for you and become more aware of when you are really focused or when you’re losing attention. While the game measures your level of attention, it also puts your attention to use controlling Skylar in the game.
THYNK uses a feed-forward approach, which is similar to biofeedback in that you see how well you are paying attention and use that information to adjust your attention level. With biofeedback, you are usually controlling a simple animation, such as using your attention to keep a balloon up or open a flower. With feed-forward, you see a representation of yourself (in this case Skylar) using this ability to accomplish a future goal (e.g., I need to use my attention to maintain Skylar’s speed. The faster he goes, the quicker I can zap the bots that match the target scanner at the top of the screen). This approach helps you to believe you can control your attention in pursuit of your goals rather than a simple skill you practice by itself. It can be difficult to translate controlling a balloon or a flower to your everyday life, but being able to see yourself actually using your attention helps you to understand how to implement the skill outside of the training.
Training Cognitive Skills
There are a lot of brain training products out there, so what makes THYNK’s cognitive training different? Most of these brain training products focus either entirely on one skill (like working memory or multitasking) or others provide training for many skills but each skill is trained separately. These products do not use a cohesive model of how different cognitive skills are related and interact with each other.
THYNK has a model of 13 cognitive skills that it trains in a systematic way, building up from more foundational skills to more complex cognitive skills (e.g., task-switching). The foundation of all of the other cognitive skills is attention. That is why you start using the feed-forward EEG from the moment you start playing the game because that enables you to observe, control, and improve upon your attention in real time. The other side of focusing attention involves ignoring distractions, so you start building these inhibition skills – impulse control, preventing mind-wandering, and being less distracted by new things – once you have a firm foundation in controlling your attention levels. Eventually the training also moves to higher order cognitive skills, like multitasking and task switching. These cognitive skills support everything we do and improving these skills can be an empowering step in every area of your life.
Transferring Skills to Real Life
It’s one thing to get better at a game, but how does this affect the rest of your life? Getting skills to transfer to other situations is a tricky problem for all kinds of training. THYNK understands this challenge and actively enhances your ability to use the same cognitive skills for multiple things. First, our feed-forward approach has you actively using these cognitive skills to achieve a variety of in-game goals (like how fast you completed a level or how accurate you were zapping bots) and not just to practice without any context. Second, we also include two different forms of play within the game that require the same cognitive skills. In one part of every mission, Skylar is running (think Temple Run or Subway Surfers) and needs to dodge obstacles, collect crystals, and bash enemies. In the other part of each mission, Skylar is in the lab helping to study the molecules of the mysterious fog that has settled over the planet. By using the same skills in different contexts and for different purposes, the cognitive skills are more likely to transfer to other contexts outside of the game. In fact, we’ve seen these changes in our clinical trials with parents reporting their child has increased ability to plan, organize, and control their behavior, and kids performing better on academic tests of achievement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, THYNK represents a revolutionary approach to cognitive training, leveraging EEG technology to empower individuals with attention issues to take control of their focus and unlock their full potential. By providing real-time feedback and targeted training exercises, THYNK helps users develop essential cognitive skills that are crucial for success in academics, work, and everyday life.
Our program's unique feed-forward approach allows users to actively engage with their cognitive skills, using them to accomplish meaningful goals within the game environment. Through a systematic training model that targets 13 cognitive skills in a progressive manner, THYNK lays the groundwork for lasting cognitive improvements that extend far beyond the confines of the game.
Moreover, THYNK understands the importance of skill transfer and incorporates diverse gameplay experiences to encourage the application of learned skills in various contexts. By engaging in different activities within the game, users strengthen their cognitive abilities and increase the likelihood of skill transfer to real-world situations.
With THYNK, individuals with attention issues can embark on a journey of cognitive enhancement, building the skills they need to thrive in an increasingly demanding world. Join us in the pursuit of better focus, sharper attention, and greater cognitive resilience with THYNK – where science meets success.
