We Advance | An AI “Brain Gym”: Introducing the Brain Health Playground

When you think of a gym, you will probably picture treadmills, weights, and sweat-intense workouts. But what if there was a workout specially designed for your mind? Or even better — what if the brain workout feels exactly like playing a fun video game?

Meet the Brain Health Playground (BHP) — a "brain gym" designed to keep your mind sharp. Born from a new collaboration between SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP) and MedTech firm YoungAnd Inc., this friendly platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) to pair physical movement with cognitive games to tackle the rising prevalence of dementia and slow the progression of cognitive decline.

An AI‐Enabled Innovative Playground for our Brain Health 

 Brain training made fun: This custom menu pairs quick thinking with physical movement

We have all heard that puzzles are great for keeping the mind active, while daily walks keep our muscles strong, but the real magic happens when you bring them together.

That dual action is the secret behind BHP. Built for seniors navigating Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI)—the early warning stage of dementia, this AI-powered platform uses a method called dual-task training. Users solve cognitive puzzles while performing physical movements at the same time, supercharging brain health. By engaging both the brain and body simultaneously, dual-task training creates a powerful synergy that strengthens brain health more effectively than mental or physical exercise alone. This marks one of the first systematic evaluations in Singapore’s primary care setting of an AI‐enabled dual‐task training programme, paving the way for fun, tech-assisted therapies that support brain health and keep cognitive decline at bay.

High-Tech, Low-Fuss: Designed for Seniors

A user stays sharp by guiding on-screen actions with body movements.

New healthcare tech can feel intimidating, especially for seniors who might not consider themselves tech-savvy.

BHP overcomes this by keeping things simple:

• Zero Gadgets Required: Built-in motion sensors track upper and lower body movements in real-time. Participants can simply step up and start playing without complex equipment.
• A Gamified Experience: Designed like an interactive game, the platform makes training feel more like play and less like a clinical assessment.
• Remote Monitoring for Doctors: While participants play, smart AI algorithms will track their performance and progress in the background. Healthcare teams can review data remotely, allowing earlier intervention and better support without adding to clinical workload.

Why Early Action Matters

As Singapore’s population ages, dementia poses an escalating challenge for families and healthcare systems alike. While MCI is not dementia, it can signal early stages of cognitive decline, making it a critical window for proactive intervention.

SingHealth Polyclinics’ Director of Research, Clinical Associate Professor Tan Ngiap Chuan, emphasises that early intervention requires a fresh approach to treatment. “To truly combat dementia, our medical teams must look beyond medications. These drug-free strategies must be safe, accessible and sustainable for patients to use at home, especially in the earlier stages of cognitive decline.”

“Evidence increasingly shows that combining cognitive and physical training through dual‐task approaches improves cognitive outcomes,” says A/Prof Tan. “As doctors, our goal is not only to slow the progression of impairment, but also to help patients maintain function, independence and quality of life for as long as possible.”

By catching cognitive changes early and offering accessible, enjoyable ways to stay sharp, BHP delivers what families need: a proactive tool to safeguard senior independence and daily well-being.

What’s Next for the AI Brain Gym?

The collaborative team is currently refining the software and actively recruiting participants to test the platform’s clinical effectiveness within Singapore’s primary care environment.

If the trial succeeds, this technology could expand far beyond clinic walls into the community and homes, making cognitive fitness a seamless part of daily routines.

It is a major milestone toward making healthy longevity a natural, play-filled part of everyday life. After all, taking care of your mind should feel less like a chore, and a lot more like play.