Draft:Thinkie System

• Comment: Everything about this article is a disaster. It's LLM slop, it's incomprehensible, the references are all malformed AND hallucinated, and it's promotional. However much the author was paid for this piece, it was too much. WeirdNAnnoyed (talk) 21:39, 31 October 2025 (UTC)

• Comment: In accordance with the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of Use, I disclose that I have been paid by my employer for my contributions to this article. Nicholasgwhite (talk) 16:27, 10 October 2025 (UTC)

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Thinkie was founded to translate laboratory-grade brain monitoring into accessible cognitive training tools. The company's technology builds on research by Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, whose studies at Tohoku University explore frontal lobe activation through simple cognitive tasks. Kawashima's work gained public recognition through Nintendo's *Brain Age* series and later informed SAIDO Learning, a dementia care method developed with Kumon. Thinkie adapted these principles into a sensor-based neurofeedback platform for consumer and clinical use.

Technology

Thinkie's system combines wearable fNIRS sensors with real-time signal processing and adaptive training software. The hardware captures hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal cortex, while the software translates these signals into feedback loops that guide cognitive exercises. The platform supports longitudinal tracking, exportable reports, and integration with clinical workflows.

Research and Validation

Thinkie's product development is grounded in translational neuroscience and evidence-based cognitive training. The company's platform combines functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) with adaptive neurofeedback protocols designed to enhance executive function, attention, and working memory. To validate its approach, Thinkie has engaged in multi-phase research across academic, clinical, and consumer settings.

Academic Foundations

Thinkie's training paradigms are informed by the work of Dr. Ryuta Kawashima, a neuroscientist at Tohoku University whose studies on frontal lobe activation through simple cognitive tasks laid the groundwork for popular brain-training programs such as Brain Age and SAIDO Learning.

Pilot Studies and Trials

Thinkie has conducted pilot studies in Japan under the brand Active Brain Club, operated by NeU Inc., a joint venture between Tohoku University and Hitachi High-Tech. These studies explored the feasibility of home-based neurofeedback using fNIRS sensors and task-based training, with preliminary results indicating improvements in task engagement and subjective cognitive clarity.

Clinical Collaborations

The company has partnered with research institutions and aging-tech networks to initiate randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of Thinkie's platform in improving executive function and attention. These trials typically compare Thinkie's neurofeedback-based training to passive control conditions, measuring outcomes such as reaction time, working memory span, and transfer effects to untrained tasks.

Validation Metrics

Thinkie's validation framework includes:

• Signal reliability and reproducibility across sessions
• Behavioral improvements in standardized cognitive tasks
• Longitudinal tracking of user progress
• Transfer effects to daily functioning and mood
• User adherence and engagement metrics

Regulatory Alignment

To support clinical adoption, Thinkie aligns its research protocols with international standards for digital therapeutics and neurotechnology, including ISO 13485 and IEC 60601 compliance for hardware safety, and GDPR/HIPAA frameworks for data privacy.

Partnerships

The company has partnered with academic institutions, care networks, and innovation hubs in Japan, Canada, and the United States. In Japan, Thinkie operates under the brand Active Brain Club, supported by NeU Inc., a joint venture between Tohoku University and Hitachi High-Tech.

Reception

Thinkie has been featured in aging-tech conferences, neuroscience publications, and digital health pilot programs. Its approach has drawn interest from clinicians, researchers, and wellness consumers seeking evidence-based cognitive enhancement tools.

See also

• Neurofeedback
• Brain Age
• SAIDO Learning
• fNIRS