N-Back Memory Training
If you rate N-Back Memory Training less than five stars, please leave a comment so that I can address your concerns; I truly value your feedback.
Instructions:
The object of the game is to hold various items in your working memory and actively update these items as the game progresses. With each new trial, press the match button if the current item matches the item that occurred a given number of trials in the past. The term “n-back” denotes how many trials (n) in the past you need to remember. By default, you will begin on 2-back, so press the match button if the current item matches the item that occurred 2 trials back in the past. For a simple demonstration of how to play single 2-back, see this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSPOjA2rR0M .
Options:
N-Back Memory Training allows you to choose from a diverse set of items to store in working memory:
• the position of a square on a 3 x 3 grid
• sounds (letters, numbers, or piano notes)
• images (shapes, national flags, sports equipment)
• colors
By default, the app starts on dual n-back, using positions and sounds (letters). The “dual” in dual n-back simply denotes how many different item types you will need to remember. You may choose any combination of item types, from single n-back to quad n-back.
Track Progress and Compete with Other Users:
Track your daily progress using customizable, interactive graphs. You can also compare your high scores to other users around the world in real-time with premium mode (upgrade available within the app).
Scoring:
N-Back Memory Training measures your working memory accuracy using the discrimination index A' from signal detection theory (Stanislaw & Todorov, 1999). A’ generally ranges from 0.5 (random guessing) to 1.0 (perfect accuracy). A score of A' >= 0.90 advances you to the next level, and a score of A' <= 0.75 results in fallback to the previous n-back level (after one grace period). These settings can be changed 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 instance, on 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.
Lure Trials:
Within Settings, you can control the percentage of lure trials, which make the task more difficult. Lure trials present stimuli that occurred n-back plus or minus one trial. That is, they are offset one trial from the target trial (n-back).
Customize:
If you want to change the game speed, the number of trials, or anything else, simply go to Settings > Select Mode > Manual Mode. From there, you can customize virtually anything. You can also customize the app’s appearance by creating your own custom background using color gradients. You can find these options toward the bottom of the Settings menu.
Please send any comments, questions, or concerns to [email protected] .
Thanks 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
Category : Puzzle
Reviews (29)
Its almost perfect. The thresholds to next level isnt given, but thats not too harsh. However, the version i used to play long time ago had a threshold of 80% of the total average, not the score of each category. Under 70% will have but you on a previous n level, which is feat to have your brain rest a lil before trying on the harder level. No 3 levels or whatever you just downgraded. On that game i used to reach duel n=8. A feat to put solid colour is welcomed, i think it looks nicer.
I cant believe the dual-n-back principle that this dev has produced all this content is FREE. In appreciation I think I will just pay for the full version and see what other stuff is included. You can change how many trials per game, stay on one difficulty (ie N-2 or N-3) and add in more than the standard dual stimuli (ie the colour and shape of the tile) in addition to the standard position and letter spoken. Blown away.. Highly recommended n-back app. The best I have come across so far :D
Free app for n-back training, everything works well. Not sure why more people don't use it! All the features are free except for comparing your records with everyone else using the app. Only thing that is wonky is that sometimes I'll come back to use the app and it will restart me at the lowest level and I have to work my way back up, but not a big deal.
Best, really But I have a feature: 1. when immediate feedback is enabled - light up a button with correct type (e.g. position) in blue when I have MISSED to click previous move (right now it only lights up a button in red on incorrect press or green on correct) 2. Could you add an option "make images appear a second (while sound is playing) and hide, instead of showing them continuously" like in brain n back app, I think it makes game harder, you have to think "wait, what I have just seen"
Fully customizable dual n back mobile application. Unlike other apps background, object colours can be changed. Level can be set manually. No of sets can be increased to increase session length. Sound, object, images, shapes can be included to make it hard. To make it even harder noise or distractions can be increased, random rate can be increased too thus its a real brain stimulating application which helps in improving working memory and better tackle distractions, impulsive behaviours.
I'd prefer the option to set up a custom exercise duration, maybe even with custom breaks in the middle. Right now if I want to spend 20min on a specific n-back, I'd have to press play like 20 times. Setting up 4x5min with 1min breaks in-between would be what I'd like to do. Edit: thx
The app's graphics is good. But even though i went to paid version, not all options were enabled. Only "N back type" is enabled, but not "N back level" is enabled. Its disappointing as its not fully customizable. ------------------ After talking to developer, the problem resolved, so giving 5 star. Now this app is fully customizable, Superb.
No directions. Very difficult to understand & process even for my educational level - A Master's Degree Level Professional, who has good logic skills, and am able to problem solve things out and use dedutive reasoning skills. I know some people who like it but it is not for me.
I'm a graduate student clinician that uses n-back dual task training for clients with cognitive impairments, especially, attention and working memory. Out of the dozen or so apps that I've tried, both free and those that cost money, this is by far the best one. I use it for myself at least 4 days a week.
Controlling both N and letter-sound, position, color and/or image, combined with tutorial, step-by-step practice and elaborate personalization - allowed me to ease comfortably into this important brain-strengthening tool and enjoy it, toy-like, on a daily basis. Paid for the app as a gesture of respect for excellence. I'd love to see an accessible and handy control of the N, in relation to the next run.
A simple and effective app. Nothing flashy but gets the job done. I have been at this consistently for 2 months. Can't say that I have gotten smarter in any way BUT my attention span has definitely improved.
If you're even considering n-backing, use this app. It's straight-up the greatest on the market. You can single, dual or even quadruple n-back! Ever since using this app daily, I subjectively feel my thoughts getting faster, smoother and more intelligent. My only criticism would be that more people should be playing this app, for more diversity in the ranking boards. Thus, please remove the pay-barrier to registering oneself for the scoreboard, it would change everything.
I tested about 10+ other n-back apps and like this one the best for it's variety of customizations. It was the only that had all the features I wanted.
It looks like a good N-back app, but it was translated into Russian using some sort of machine translation and most of it makes no sense. There's no option to select the language in the app. It sets the language according to the phone's locale. I live in Russia and I don't want to change my phone's locale for the sake of one app. And I can't use it as is because whatever this is, it's not Russian.
Doesn't adjust well to display on tablets/Chrome OS. Ads are very intrusive and distracting, decreasing the utility. I also wasn't able to find settings to enable keyboard commands.
The app hard crashes the phone when returning to it. This issue is intermittent. The developers were responsive in helping to troubleshoot the issue.
Used to be good but now there's a big where the audio cuts out before they finish saying the letter, making it basically useless
Had to watch the video tutorial before understanding the objective. Really great game for memory focus and concentration. Unique idea.
Very nice working memory training app. I use it in between my physical workout routines to develop both sharpness of the mind and the body :)
Thus app is the real Dual-N-Back deal! I just downloaded it and did some trials. It seems to be well-designed.
Gives feedback on bad/miss selections and promotes quickly to higher levels. A nice to have would be a running daily session count so I know when I've done 20 gos.
Can't figure out how to make it start from your current "level" automatically. Let's say I play today and make it from 2back to 5 back, I want next time I start the app to start from 5 back and if for example after playing I drop to 4 back next time I want to continue from 4.
Would be nice if I could set the trial length for more seconds (for harder levels).
very good. does the job beautifully. however interface is sligtly simple and when the turn happens is confusing.
Hi.. Love the app. Thanks for promptly replying to my queries. Keep up the good work. Also, I would appreciate if there is an online manual to understand all the tech jargon that's there in the app. This is just so I can understand it better.
I'm sure this is a good game. It is very challenging, but I don't get it. Am I supposed to match if the sounds and positions are in the same spot as earlier because that seems almost impossible.
I like the app and it's proven to work but the leaderboard is discouraging. How far down do I have to scroll to get to me? I would much rather be compared to people at my own skill level, maybe like how duolingo does it.
Big fan of the concept of memory training. I look forward to many more stressful sessions working towards improvement.
Great game. Best version on n-back out there for me personally. Although I did find one bug, the setting to not revert to 2-back on a new day, though I check the box in the settings, it doesn't work and reverts me back to 2-back everytime anyway. Another issue I wish didn't exist is when I try to setup my own custom mode, like with customized next level promotion thresholds, there is no option to set the exact game tempo as what we are used to in default mode. It is either faster or slower.