“Brain-IT”: Exergame training with biofeedback breathing in neurocognitive disorders

paper

2024

Manser et al.

Alzheimer's and Dementia

Top Paper

Senso-Study

“Brain-IT”: Exergame training with biofeedback breathing in neurocognitive disorders

“Brain-IT”: Exergame training with biofeedback breathing in neurocognitive disorders

The Brain-IT study investigates a novel training concept developed specifically for people with mild neurocognitive impairment. The intervention combines motor-cognitive exergames performed on the Dividat platform with a biofeedback-guided breathing technique. While participants simultaneously engage in physical and cognitive tasks, respiratory biofeedback supports calm, regulated breathing, which positively influences the autonomic nervous system.

The multi-week training program led to significant improvements in overall cognitive performance. Memory function, in particular—both immediate and delayed recall—improved significantly, and more than half of the participants achieved clinically meaningful gains. These findings suggest that combining Dividat exergames, cognitive challenge, and respiratory biofeedback represents a promising non-pharmacological approach to supporting cognitive health and mental well-being.