Brain gets younger and younger with the power of thinking.

Brain gets younger and younger with the power of thinking.

Hokkaido University School of Medicine Collaborative Research

What is “Katsunoh Puzzle”?

This is a joint research project between Hokkaido University School of Medicine and Puzzle Dojo, which operates more than 2,000 schools nationwide in Japan and has the nation’s No. 1 track record in thought education programs. A specialized laboratory of the Hokkaido University School of Medicine has conducted clinical experiments to verify how effective the “Puzzle Dojo” method is in preventing dementia.

Here is how to tackle Katsunoh Puzzles.

Example 01

Example 02

Example 03

Example 04

Advancing one step at a time, week by week.

Katsunoh puzzles use text and teaching string threading.
The text consists of four sessions, which can be completed in one month by working on one session each week.
If you have more time, you may solve all four sessions in one sitting.
Aim to complete all 30 levels of text!

Let's get to know what makes up the teaching tools in Katsunoh Puzzle!

10 levels of promotion system for easy-to-see results and continuous motivation

The promotion is made in increments of 10 from bronze to silver to gold.
This one-of-a-kind program is designed to activate the brain and strengthen thinking skills through the completion of 30 steps.
We recommend that you first take the Bronze 10 level for physical health as well as brain health and vitality.

Current status of dementia in Japan, for reference . . .

Seniors 65 years old and older

In Japan, where the population is aging rapidly, one out of 4 elderly people aged 65 or older is said to have dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

Causes of getting care and support

Dementia is the most common cause of care and support, accounting for 18%.

Live each day richly with Katsunoh Puzzles!

“Brain muscle training" is necessary to keep the prefrontal cortex working well.

In order to lead a fulfilling life, it is necessary to create a state in which the “prefrontal cortex” is functioning well.

The brain can be trained at any age. This requires proper training. The most important point is to train at a level that is not too easy, not too difficult, but just hard enough that you can do it and put the right amount of strain on yourself.

The more you use your brain, the more active it becomes. Simply using the brain increases its capacity.

And a quality program that can reach out to everyone’s unique abilities from a variety of angles will yield significant results. This is exactly what the “Thought Therapy Katsunoh Puzzle” program is all about.

We have a reliable support system!

We provide total support for the introduction of “Thought Therapy Katsunoh Puzzle” to your facility, including various introduction support, official manuals, and qualification systems.

Official textbooks and manuals

We have an official induction manual that makes inductions easier, as well as text to help you learn about dementia and brain activation.

Thought Therapy Manager

We train instructors who have mastered the theory and practice of Thought Therapy and who are qualified at the level of instructors who can properly implement the method.

Thought Therapy Instructor

Under the guidance of a Thought Therapy Manager, we certify Thought Therapy Instructors and provide support for more effective operation of Katsunoh Puzzles.

This unique qualification system leads to a sense of security and trust for your customers.

The effects of "Katsunoh" for improving QOL related to cognitive function and health

Prevention of cognitive decline and dementia

As people age, their memory, language, and spatial cognition decline. As these three cognitive functions decline, the patient may develop mild cognitive impairment, which can be considered a precursor to dementia. It is known that about 16% of people with mild cognitive impairment develop Alzheimer’s disease over the course of a year, while 35% of those with mild cognitive impairment improve. It is believed that lifestyle modification, activation of cognitive functions, and interaction with others are effective in preventing cognitive decline and dementia, and the WHO guidelines also recommend the prevention of dementia or dementia-related diseases. The “Katsunoh” program consists of tasks that increase in difficulty step by step, such as language, spatial cognition, and thinking skills. The program is designed to improve cognitive functions by increasing the level of difficulty in stages.

Survey Summary

At a facility for the elderly operated by our company, “Katsunoh” sessions are held once a week. Participants in the program who do not have dementia or have mild to moderate levels of dementia were asked to participate in a survey on changes in cognitive function and health-related quality of life. (Survey period: January to June 2021)

About the Survey Subjects

Residents who participated in the “Katsunoh” program at least once a month were defined as the “participating group,” while those who participated less than once a month were defined as the “non-participating group”. Of the 38 residents who cooperated in the survey (average age: 81.3 years), 18 (average age: 82.3 years) were in the participation group.

Change in simple cognitive function test scores

Improved by 2.1 points in 5 months
The average score of the participants (on a 30-point scale) on a simple cognitive function test was 19.2 at the beginning of the program, but 21.3 five months later, which was significantly higher than that of the non-participating group.

Change in health-related quality of life scores

Improved by 0.11 points in 5 months
In terms of health-related quality of life (maximum 1.00 points), the average score of the participating group was 0.46 points at the beginning of the program, but after 5 months, it was 0.57 points, significantly higher than that of the nonparticipating group.
Consideration

Katsunoh activates brain functions and improves quality of life

The fact that the scores of the participants in the simple cognitive function test were clearly higher than those of the non-participants indicates that the brain function was activated by  “Katsunoh” As cognitive function declines, verbal recall and thinking ability decline, and interaction with others tends to decrease. By performing thinking tasks, “Katsunoh” improves function in the area of language and restores the “ability to think about conversation,” which is necessary for communication. In addition, improving spatial cognition and thinking skills improves the ability to identify areas prone to falls, which is effective in preventing accidents.

Comments from participants who actually worked on "Katsunoh"

88 years old, Ms. F, nursing care level 1

Before working on Katsunoh

Even before I started working on Katsunoh, I was doing brain training in my room, memorizing the prefecture names, etc.

After working on Katsunoh

I participated in Katsunoh because I thought it would be good for me to prevent blurring of the brain. When the level of the problems gets higher, I always think “It’s too hard to go any further …” but I enjoy it because I can solve the problems after solving them repeatedly (gone from Level 10 to Level 6 in 8 months).

96 years old, Ms. O, nursing care level 1

Before working on Katsunoh

Before coming to the facility, I didn’t have any particular requests for what I wanted to do. After moving in, I thought it would be good if I could enjoy spending time with the people around me.

After working on Katsunoh

At the beginning of my participation in Katsunoh, I hated the fact that everyone else could solve the problems but I could not (I felt inferior). However, I thought it would be easy to quit, so I continued to work hard. Now I feel positive that I am “challenging difficult problems” and enjoy participating.

80 years old, Mr. N, nursing care level 2

Before working on Katsunoh

There was no special activity that I wanted to do before the Katsunoh activity. I had never done brain training before, nor was I interested in it.

After working on Katsunoh

I participated in Katsunoh without much thought, but now I look forward to it. I participate in the program aiming to answer all the questions correctly every time, and I am happy when my level improves. I especially enjoy it when I can do a problem I didn’t understand.

90 years old, Ms. M, nursing care level 4

Before working on Katsunoh

She had no smile. She had no emotional control and was very easily angered. The caregivers were always frustrated and mentally exhausted.

After working on Katsunoh

Through Katsunoh, she started talking more and smiling more. The easily-angry personalities became calmer. Both caregivers and care receivers started smiling more and became more relaxed.

70 years old, Mr. S

Before working on Katsunoh

I have never done brain training before. I just watched TV and never used my head to think.

After working on Katsunoh

I feel like my mind is working better. I can understand the problems immediately when I see them. It’s been a good experience for me.

88 years old, Ms. H, nursing care level 4

Before working on Katsunoh
I tried it for the first time. I have been sleeping all the time. I never thought to try brain training.
After working on Katsunoh
It’s a good stimulus for my head. I don’t know if it has made me smarter.

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