New solution to chart children’s ability

A new launch from MyCognition is set to accurately measure and enhance cognitive ability in school children

Stephanie Broad

A cognitive health company has launched a new solution for measuring and enhancing cognitive ability in school children at the recent BETT 2014 show. The bespoke cognitive tool, MyCQ^Ed, and cognitive training applied video game, Monster Valley^TM, are being launched for the first time in the UK by MyCognition.

Duncan Knight, CEO of MyCognition, commented: “The potential shown to date by MyCQ^Ed and Escape from Monster Valley in enhancing educational outcomes has been very exciting, and we are proud to launch this to the UK education sector. We believe this could become an invaluable tool in underpinning educational success, as well as helping children function optimally in all aspects of their lives.”

MyCQ^Ed is a validated cognitive tool that comprises of 10 tests to determine an individual’s cognitive abilities, based on the five main cognitive domains used in education and daily life. Uniquely, MyCQ^Ed feeds these results into the Monster Valley applied video game, which is tailor-made to train the domains that show potential for improvement, with gameplay personalised to each individual.

Positive outcomes from playing Monster Valley were seen after only four weeks in a pilot at a secondary school in the Netherlands. The study of approximately 600 students aged 11-13 showed positive cognitive effects in students after playing Monster Valley for at least 60 minutes per week (see separate press release). It is the first time that a study has evaluated cognitive training improvement using a bespoke cognitive assessment tool designed for use with a specific game.

MyCognition has been working with global experts for two years to address the unmet need of enhancing cognitive ability. The cognitive domains addressed through playing Monster Valley are Working Memory (remembering), Episodic Memory (calculation and working out), Attention (concentration), Psychomotor Speed (speed) and Executive Function (planning and strategy), which all have impact on children’s educational performance and their ability to meet their potential.