Leon Wurfel evaluated claims that dual n-back brain training can increase IQ scores. He conducted dual n-back training over 20 sessions, finding it very difficult. Of 12 participants, only 2 completed the training. These 2 participants saw IQ increases of 14 and 9 points respectively. While the training was hard, Wurfel concluded it was worth it due to potential lifelong cognitive benefits even from small IQ increases.

1. Brain training – Dual n-back
Evaluation of training, results,
experiences and observations
Leon Wurfel

2. Preface – PSYCHE!!!!
• Sorry to be sneaky but:
– Go check out my webpage
www.optimoz.com.au
– Like my webpage on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/optimozaustralia
Thanks guys!!!

3. Dual N-back training
• Introduced to the concept in the article
“How To Add 2.75 IQ Points Per Hour of
Training”
• On the bulletproof executive blog
(http://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-
add-2-75-iq-points-per-hour-of-training/)
• Attempted to validate the claims in the article

4. Dual N-back training
• Background
• Training protocol
• Observations
• Results

5. Dual N-back training – what is it?
• Training intended to increase working memory
• Strong clinical basis showing transferable
improvements in cognitive function
(measured by IQ testing)

6. Dual N-back training – how do you do
it?
• Given a grid of squares
• Have to identify when a square shows up in the
same location as “n” times ago
• “n” level represents the difficulty
• Also have to identify the same against a auditory
cue

7. Dual N-back training – what are the
claims??
• 2.75 points per hour (18 points over 6.5 hours
of training)
• Significant increases in REM
• Qualitatively:
– Faster problem solving
– More insightful imagination
– Better memory

8. Dual N-back training – how to evaluate
• Do before IQ test
• Do training (20 sessions over 20+ days)
• Do after IQ test

9. Dual N-back training – how to evaluate
• Crowdsourced testing protocol
• 12 people from a variety of backgrounds
• Using same training protocol
• 50/50 alternation of before and after test to
normalise for order bias

10. Dual N-back training – observations
• Really damn hard “benchpress for your brain”
• Frustrating and flustering
• Takes considerable focus, concentration and
energy

11. Dual N-back training – impact on sleep

12. Dual N-back training – impact on sleep
Total
140
120
100
Minutes in REM sleep
80
60
40
20
0
No n-back N-back training

13. Dual N-back training – results
• The training group had an incredible attrition
rate
(Everyone found it as hard as I did!)
• 2 out of 12 finished the training program

14. Dual N-back training – results
• IQ improvements of:
– Subject 1: 14 points
– Subject 2: 9 points
• Starting from a pretty strong base!

15. Dual N-back training – conclusions
• Its hard
• Its worth it
• Do it!! Even if you get a 1 point increase in IQ
over the course of your life it will have an
incredible impact on quality of life!

16. Dual N-back training – interesting links
http://www.bulletproofexec.com/how-to-add-2-
75-iq-points-per-hour-of-training/
http://cogpsylab.com/
http://www.iqmindware.com/i3/
http://www.pnas.org/content/105/19/6829.full.
pdf+html