The Science: Sustained Attention / Go/No-Go

This game is a type of Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), which is a variation of a **Go/No-Go** task. It’s designed to train two key brain functions: **sustained attention** (staying focused) and **response inhibition** (stopping an automatic action).

By forcing you to “press and hold” (sustained action) and then only release on a specific, brief target (`X`), you are practicing inhibitory control. Releasing on the `*` (impulsive) or the `O` (slow) are both errors. This task is often used in research on focus, impulsivity, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as it directly targets the brain’s executive function network.

Who can benefit from this game?

This exercise may be helpful for:

• Individuals who find it hard to maintain focus.
• People working on improving their impulse control.
• Anyone who wants to practice a “mental brake” exercise.

Scientific Effectiveness & References

This is an evidence-informed skills trainer. SART and Go/No-Go tasks are standard neuropsychological tools used to measure and train inhibitory control, a core component of executive function.

• Robertson, I. H., et al. (1997). ‘Oops!’: performance correlates of everyday attentional failures in traumatic brain injured and normal subjects. Neuropsychologia, 35(6), 747-758.
• Wostmann, N. M., et al. (2013). Neural correlates of SART performance. Acta Psychologica, 144(1), 161-169.