N-Back Memory Training

The description of N-Back Memory Training

Site Editorial Commentary：Train your IQ & working memory with the widely researched dual n-back task.

Research indicates that n-back training may enhance fluid intelligence (IQ) and working memory capaCity (Soveri et al., 2017).

We value your feedback! If you rate N-Back Memory Training lower than five stars, please leave a comment explaining your concerns so we can improve the app.

Instructions:
The goal of this brain training game is to actively hold and update various items in your working memory. On each trial, press the match button if the current item matches the item presented 'n' trials in the past. The term “n-back” refers to the number of trials (n) you need to remember. The game starts at 2-back by default, so press the match button if the current item is identical to the item from 2 trials ago. Watch this video for a simple demonstration of single 2-back gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSPOjA2rR0M .

Options:
N-Back Memory Training offers a diverse range of items to store in your working memory:
• Position of a square on a 3 x 3 grid
• Sounds (letters, numbers, or piano notes)
• Images (shapes, national flags, sports equipment)
• Colors

The app defaults to dual n-back, using positions and sounds (letters). The term “dual” signifies the number of different item types you need to remember simultaneously. You can select any combination of item types, ranging from single n-back to quad n-back, to challenge your brain.

Track Progress and Compete with Other Users:
Monitor your daily progress with customizable, interactive graphs. With premium mode (available as an in-app purchase), you can also compare your high scores in real-time against users worldwide and see how you rank on the global leaderboard.

Scoring:
N-Back Memory Training assesses your working memory accuracy using the discrimination index A' from signal detection theory (Stanislaw & Todorov, 1999). A' typically ranges from 0.5 (random guessing) to 1.0 (perfect accuracy). An A' score of >= 0.90 advances you to the next level, while a score of <= 0.75 results in a fallback to the previous n-back level (after a grace period). You can modify these settings in Manual Mode. For tracking your progress, A' is combined with your current n-back level so that scores range +/- 0.5 around your n-back level. For example, at 2-back, an accuracy of A' = 1 will yield a score of 2.5, whereas A' = 0.5 will yield a score of 1.5.

Details:
A' = .5 + sign(H - F) * ((H - F)^2 + abs(H - F)) / (4 * max(H, F) - 4 * H * F)

where
Hit Rate (H) = hits / # signal trials
False-positive Rate (F) = false pos / # noise trials

see Stanislaw & Todorov (1999)

Lure Trials:
Within Settings, you can adjust the percentage of lure trials to increase the difficulty. Lure trials present stimuli that occurred n-back plus or minus one trial, slightly offsetting them from the target trial (n-back).

Customize:
To change the game speed, number of trials, or any other parameter, navigate to Settings > Select Mode > Manual Mode. Here, you can customize nearly every aspect of the game. You can also personalize the app's appearance by creating custom backgrounds using color gradients. These options are located at the bottom of the Settings menu.

Please send any comments, questions, or concerns to [email protected].
Thank you for playing!
E. A. L.

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References

Soveri, A., Antfolk, J., Karlsson, L., Salo, B., & Laine, M. (2017). Working memory training revisited: A multi-level meta-analysis of n-back training studies. Psychonomic bulletin & review, 24(4), 1077-1096.

Stanislaw, H., & Todorov, N. (1999). Calculation of signal detection theory measures. Behavior research methods, instruments, & computers, 31(1), 137-149.

In-app background image credit: Réseau de neurones. If then else / Wikimedia, CC BY-SA