The brain may not be a muscle, but it still needs exercise

As we age, keeping our bodies active helps us stay healthier for longer and protects against chronic disease. We can also exercise our brains to prevent age-related mental decline with activities like reading aloud, writing by hand, and simple math exercises.  

The idea of “working out” the mind is core to the StrongerMemory program, a rigorous brain training curriculum developed by the Goodwin Living Foundation and tested by George Mason University social workers. Gerontology research specialist Emily Ihara, with co-investigator George Mason Tenured Professor of Social Work Catherine J. Tompkins, found that mental exercise such as preventing age-related mental decline resulted in both self-reported and researcher-assessed improvements in key brain health indicators among older adult participants. 

“The StrongerMemory program was associated with both objective and subjective improvements in cognitive functioning among older adults. The components stimulated and strengthened working memory, attention, and decision-making processes,” said Ihara, professor and chair in the Department of Social Work at George Mason’s College of Public Health (CPH). 

Unlike previous cognitive exercise programs, which focused on a single aspect of brain health (e.g., memory or attention alone), the activities of this program were specifically chosen to stimulate multiple parts of the brain with the goal of combating progression of Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (ADRD).  

“By combining reading aloud, writing by hand, and simple math exercises, the program engages multiple cognitive pathways, offering broader benefits than single-domain approaches. The results can inform practitioners, policymakers, and families about practical, affordable, non-pharmacological ways to possibly mitigate cognitive decline and promote healthy aging,” said Ihara. 

Older adults in the StrongerMemory program participated in three daily activities for 30 minutes per day: 10 minutes each of reading aloud, writing by hand, and completing simple math problems. The program was tailored, allowing participants choice in reading material and writing content. For example, some older adults chose to write letters to family. At the conclusion, implementers interviewed participants and conducted tests on memory recall, verbal fluency, attention, dates, and location.  

Age-related cognitive decline can include memory loss, lapses in attention, trouble performing daily tasks, and confusion, among others that could be warnings of ADRD. Participants were recruited from older adult living communities, and self-reported cognitive decline but did not have a formal ADRD diagnosis. 

Can brain exercises mitigate cognitive decline? A quasi-experimental evaluation of the StrongerMemory program was published July 2025 in Educational Gerontology. 

Associate Dean for Faculty and Staff Affairs and Tenured Professor of Social Work in the college Catherine J. Tompkins, and Hyun Kang from the James Madison University Department of Social Work, and a former CPH postdoctoral researcher, served as co-authors of the study. Additionally, several George Mason and CPH alumni were contributors, including Francesca A. Keesee, MSW ‘23, McKenzie S. Lauber, BSW’23, MSW ‘24, Catherine M. Magee, MSW ‘23, Kendall Barrett, BSW ‘20, MSW ‘22, Madeline Holden, MSW ‘22, Harveen Pantleay, MSW ‘22, and College of Humanities and Social Sciences master of sociology ‘24 Gergana N. Hardy. 

Read more about the efficacy of the StrongerMemory program: 

• I Have Decided to Read Out Loud for the Rest of My Life! Cognitive Health and the StrongerMemory Program 
• Boosting Cognitive Training through Social Engagement: Impacts on Older Adults With Subjective Cognitive Decline 

About the researcher 

Emily Ihara is a social work and gerontology researcher focused on developing and evaluating community-based interventions that support cognitive health for people living with dementia and their caregivers. Her expertise bridges practice-based innovation and rigorous research methods, with an emphasis on accessible, scalable solutions to pressing challenges in aging societies.