Sudoku Benefits Memory Research

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Does playing sudoku helps with memory ?

Playing Sudoku appears to have a positive impact on memory, particularly working memory. Here are some key findings from relevant research:

1. Improvement in Working Memory Performance: A study found that both younger and older adults showed improvements in working memory after regularly playing Sudoku over a four-month period. This was particularly evident in digit symbol and letter memory performance (Grabbe, 2017).

2. Relation to Working Memory Capacity: Another research indicated that Sudoku performance had a significant relationship with working memory, suggesting that Sudoku might be useful in the study of mental exercise and cognitive aging (Grabbe, 2011).

3. Engagement of Prefrontal Cortex: A study using functional near-infrared spectroscopy showed that playing Sudoku activates both the medial and lateral regions of the prefrontal cortex, suggesting that it could be beneficial for cognitive remediation training in disorders involving the prefrontal cortex (Patil Ashlesh, Deepak, & Kochhar, 2020).

4. Benefits in Semantic Dementia: In a case study, a patient with semantic dementia showed outstanding performance in Sudoku, suggesting preserved skills supported by intact parietal-basal ganglia networks (Papagno, Semenza, & Girelli, 2013).

In conclusion, engaging in Sudoku is linked to improvements in working memory and activates brain regions associated with cognitive functions. These benefits can be seen across different age groups, including in cognitive conditions like semantic dementia.

Bring me more studies

Here are more studies investigating the impact of playing Sudoku on cognitive functions and memory:

1. Sudoku and Working Memory Performance for Older Adults: This study emphasized the significance of Sudoku in relation to working memory, particularly in the context of healthy cognitive aging (Grabbe, 2011).

2. Effects of Physical Activity on Cognition and Brain: While this study primarily focused on physical exercise, it also explored the effects of cognitive activities like playing Sudoku (Kramer, Erickson, & McAuley, 2008).

3. Role of Working Memory in Sudoku: Examines the critical role of working memory in playing Sudoku, highlighting the cognitive processing involved (Leu, Tang, & Abbass, 2014).

4. Monitoring of Cognitive Processes in Older Persons: Investigates the use of Sudoku in monitoring cognitive status in older adults, using EEG to measure cognitive load (Sobolewski et al., 2009).

5. Effect of Multimodal Intervention (computer-based cognitive training, diet, and exercise): This study, which includes Sudoku as part of its cognitive training component, aimed to investigate the effect of multimodal intervention on the cognitive functions of older adults with subjective cognitive impairment (Chatterjee et al., 2022).

6. Examining the Neurocognitive Validity of Commercially Available, Smartphone-Based Puzzle Games: This research looks into the relationship between smartphone-based puzzle games like Sudoku and standard measures of neuropsychological performance (Thompson et al., 2012).

These studies provide additional insights into how playing Sudoku can potentially benefit cognitive functions and memory, particularly in older adults.

What is the conclusion of number 5

The conclusion of the study "Effect of Multimodal Intervention (computer-based cognitive training, diet, and exercise)" by Chatterjee et al. (2022) is that multimodal intervention, which includes computer-based cognitive training (involving activities such as Sudoku), a Mediterranean equivalent diet, and an exercise regime, can be an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving cognitive functions in older adults with subjective cognitive impairment. The study found significant improvements in cognitive domains assessed by various memory scales in both unimodal and multimodal intervention groups, with the highest improvement observed in the multimodal group compared to the unimodal group. The findings suggest that a combination of cognitive training, dietary changes, and physical exercise can synergistically benefit cognitive functions in this population【9†source】.