You probably have been reading much about "brain training" and "brain fitness" and wondered, "What is all the Fuss About?" After many months of work, we have just released our inaugural report on the emerging Brain Fitness Software Market, and we want to share Ten of the Key Findings with you.
Copyright (c) 2008 SharpBrains
You probably have been reading much about "brain training" and "brain fitness" and wondered, "What is all the Fuss About?"
After many months of work (and we hope many new neurons and stronger synapses in our brains), we have just released our inaugural report on the emerging Brain Fitness Software Market, and we want to share a few of the key findings with you.
In summary, the whole category is growing. We estimate the size of the US brain fitness software market at $225M in2007, up from $100m in 2005 (50% CAGR). The two segments that fueled the market growth: consumers (grew from $5m to $80m, 300% CAGR) and healthcare & insurance providers (grew from $36m to $65m, 35% CAGR).
Ten Findings from The State of the Brain Fitness Software Market 2008 report include:
1) 2007 was a seminal year for the US Brain Fitness software market, which reached $225 million in revenues - up from an estimated $100 million in 2005.
2) Over 20 companies are offering tools to assess and train cognitive skills to four customer segments: consumers; healthcare and insurance providers; K12 school systems; and Fortune 1000 companies, the military, and sports teams.
3) The Nintendo Brain Age phenomenon has driven much of the growth. The consumer segment grew from a few million in 2005 to an estimated $80 million in 2007.
4) There is major confusion in the market, so education will be key. Users and buyers need help to navigate the maze of products and claims.
5) Over 400 residential facilities for older adults have launched computerized "brain fitness centers." Sales to the healthcare and insurance provider segment grew from $35 million in 2005 to an estimated $65 million in 2007.
6) More than five programs have shown results in randomized controlled trials. Cognitive functions that can be trained include: visual and auditory processing, working memory, attention, and decision-making.
7) A product has obtained 510(k) FDA clearance for rehabilitation of stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury patients. Another product is being used by a growing network of ADHD specialists.
8) Large-scale, fully-automated cognitive assessments are being used in a growing number of clinical trials. This opens the way for the development of inexpensive consumer-facing, baseline cognitive assessments.
9) The potential for K12 Education remains largely untapped due to limited research linking cognitive training to academic performance.
10) Companies, sports teams and the military are finding opportunities to improve productivity. The aging workforce will make this a must.
There are over 20 public and private companies offering tools to assess and train brain functions, with major implications for healthy aging and a number of disorders such as attention deficits, dyslexia, stroke and traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, autism, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease.
Now you know. Not everything that bills itself as "brain training" really is. But there is more than may meet the eye.
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