The Dual N-back game is a powerful brain training exercise designed to boost your Working Memory and Short-Term Memory.
Short-Term Memory is like a mental scratchpad; it holds a small amount of information for a brief period, allowing you to recall things immediately, such as a phone number you just heard. For instance, it helps you remember a security code to type into your phone, keep track of key points in a conversation or speech you're listening to, retain details from one app or tab while switching to another on your computer without getting distracted, or hold onto step-by-step instructions while following them—ensuring you can act on information without constant going back and forth. And the list goes on, including supporting everyday reading by retaining words so you can link them together smoothly.
Working Memory, builds on Short-Term Memory by not only holding information but also actively manipulating it—like juggling mental sticky notes while solving a problem. For example, when reading a text, the Short-Term Memory lets you recall the words, but Working Memory helps you process and understand their deeper meaning, connecting ideas across sentences. If your Short-Term Memory or Working Memory is underdeveloped, everyday tasks can feel more challenging—like struggling to switch between apps on a computer without losing your train of thought, or needing to re-read sentences because the earlier words slip away. However, strengthening these skills through training can make such activities effortless and efficient.
In Dual N-back, you'll be presented with a sequence of visual positions and auditory numbers. Your task is to identify when the *current* stimulus (either position or sound) matches one that appeared "N" trials back. For example, in a 2-back game, you'd look for a match from two trials ago.
"let's look at this example To help you understand the Position 2-back level. In each trial, a square will illuminate on the grid. Your task is to remember the position of the illuminated square and remember if it matches the position of the square that appeared two trials ago. We'll illustrate this with a sequence of four trials, highlighting when a match occurs."
Level (N-back): Sets how many trials back you need to remember. Higher levels mean greater challenge for your working memory.
Speed: Controls the duration of each trial. Faster speeds increase intensity.
Duration: Sets the total time for your game session.
Position / Sound: Allows you to choose between visual (position) and auditory (sound) N-back, or both simultaneously (Dual N-back).
Your performance is tracked with three key metrics:
It's easier to advance to higher N-back levels by training with a single type of stimulus (like visual positions alone)