Is Soroban Good for the Brain? A Neuroscientist Mom's Deep Dive Into the Research
As a cognitive neuroscience PhD turned mom, I was skeptical of 'brain training' claims. So I read every study I could find on Soroban and brain development. Here's what the science actually says—no marketing fluff.
Before I had kids, I spent six years researching cognitive development at Stanford. Now I spend my days negotiating screen time with a seven-year-old. When my son's teacher mentioned Soroban and made vague claims about 'whole-brain activation,' my scientist brain immediately went into skeptic mode. I've heard too many educational products make big brain claims with tiny evidence. So I did what any research-trained parent would do: I spent two weeks reading every peer-reviewed study I could find. Here's my honest assessment of what science actually tells us about Soroban and brain development.
My Scientific Approach to Soroban Claims
Let me be upfront: I was prepared to debunk Soroban brain claims. Most 'brain training' products don't hold up under scientific scrutiny. The brain-training industry has been criticized for overpromising and underdelivering.
So when I started researching Soroban, I expected to find cherry-picked studies, small sample sizes, and exaggerated conclusions.
What I actually found surprised me.
The Brain Imaging Research: What Scans Actually Show
Multiple research teams have used fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) to watch brains calculate. Here's what they consistently find:
Study 1: Different Neural Pathways
A landmark study by Tanaka et al. (2002) compared expert soroban practitioners with non-trained adults during calculation tasks. The findings were striking:
- •Non-trained adults showed activity primarily in the left inferior frontal gyrus (language-related areas)
- •Soroban experts showed significant activation in the right superior parietal cortex (visuospatial processing)
- •The pattern held even for simple calculations where both groups got correct answers
Translation: Soroban-trained brains literally process numbers differently. They're using spatial visualization rather than verbal counting.
Study 2: Children vs. Adults
A 2006 study by Hu et al. examined children who had 3+ years of soroban training compared to matched controls. Children showed even more pronounced differences than adults—suggesting the training may be particularly effective during brain development.
Study 3: The Mental Abacus
Most fascinating to me was research on 'mental abacus' (anzan) users who calculate without a physical abacus. Brain imaging shows they're mentally manipulating a visual representation of beads. The visual cortex and spatial processing areas light up even though they're looking at nothing but numbers.
What convinced me: The neural pathway differences are consistent across multiple independent studies, different research teams, and various methodologies. This isn't one cherry-picked study—it's a reproducible finding.
Beyond Math: Cognitive Benefits
The research goes beyond just 'different brain activity.' Studies have measured specific cognitive improvements:
Working Memory Enhancement
Multiple studies show soroban training improves visuospatial working memory—the mental 'scratchpad' where we hold and manipulate visual information.
A 2016 meta-analysis by Chen et al. found moderate effect sizes (Cohen's d = 0.46) for working memory improvements in children who received soroban training compared to controls. That's a meaningful effect—not massive, but real.
Attention and Focus
Soroban practice requires sustained attention. You can't zone out and move beads correctly. Some studies show transfer to general attention tasks, though the evidence here is mixed.
Processing Speed
This one is straightforward: people who practice soroban get faster at calculations. But more interestingly, some studies show improved processing speed on non-mathematical tasks too—suggesting the training builds general mental quickness.
The Honest Truth About IQ Claims
Let me address the elephant in the room: Does soroban increase IQ?
Some studies have found correlations between soroban training and improved IQ test scores. But here's my scientist's honest take:
- •Correlation isn't causation. Kids who do soroban might be different in other ways.
- •Effect sizes are modest. We're not talking about turning average kids into geniuses.
- •IQ tests have limitations. They measure specific skills, not everything we mean by 'intelligence.'
- •Methodological issues. Many studies lack proper randomization or control groups.
My honest assessment: Soroban probably doesn't significantly boost 'general intelligence' in any meaningful way. What it DOES do is train specific cognitive skills—visuospatial processing, working memory, mental manipulation—very effectively.
Red flag for parents: If any program claims to 'dramatically increase your child's IQ,' be skeptical. That's marketing, not science. Soroban's real benefits are in specific, measurable skills—not magic IQ points.
The 'Both Hemispheres' Claim: Mostly True
You've probably heard that Soroban 'activates both brain hemispheres.' This claim needs nuance:
What's true: Soroban does engage the right hemisphere (visuospatial) more than traditional calculation methods, which are predominantly left-hemisphere (verbal/sequential). Brain imaging confirms this.
What's oversimplified: ALL complex tasks use both hemispheres to some degree. The brain doesn't work in neat left/right boxes. The 'left brain = logic, right brain = creativity' dichotomy is largely myth.
What's meaningful: Soroban trains visuospatial processing pathways that standard arithmetic doesn't develop as much. This IS meaningful—it's like the difference between reading text and interpreting images.
How This Changed My Decision
After all my research, here's what I concluded:
Soroban won't make my son a genius. It won't magically boost his IQ or transform his brain into something superhuman.
But it WILL:
- •Build mental math skills through a visual approach that might click better than verbal methods
- •Train his visuospatial working memory in ways traditional math doesn't
- •Develop sustained attention through daily focused practice
- •Give him a different 'toolkit' for approaching numbers
- •Build confidence through mastery of a challenging skill
Those benefits were enough for me. We started Soroban six months ago.
What I've Observed in My Own Son
My son Ethan has been doing Soroban for six months now. As a scientist, I know anecdotes aren't data. But as a mom, I can share what I've noticed:
- •Mental math improved noticeably. He went from finger-counting to calculating in his head.
- •He 'sees' numbers differently. He'll sometimes describe visualizing beads when calculating.
- •Focus during practice. 15 minutes of concentrated attention daily—more than most activities.
- •Confidence boost. 'I'm good at math' is new in our house.
- •Transfer to other areas? Honestly, I can't say for sure. He seems more confident with puzzles, but that could be many factors.
The Neuroplasticity Factor
One thing I find genuinely exciting from the research: the brain changes associated with soroban training demonstrate neuroplasticity—the brain's ability to reorganize based on experience.
Long-term soroban practitioners show structural differences in brain regions associated with visuospatial processing. The brain literally adapts to support the skill.
This doesn't mean soroban is the only way to develop these regions. Music, art, sports, and many other activities also promote neuroplasticity. But it does show that soroban training has real, measurable effects on brain organization.
The best time for neuroplasticity is childhood—but it never stops entirely. Even adult soroban learners show brain changes. It's just easier and potentially more impactful during the developmental years.
Comparing to Other 'Brain Training'
How does Soroban stack up against other brain training claims?
Brain Training Apps (Lumosity, etc.)
Research verdict: Limited transfer. You get better at the specific games but probably not at general cognition. Soroban has stronger evidence for transfer to real-world math skills.
Music Training
Strong evidence for cognitive benefits, particularly in auditory processing, language, and executive function. Different pathways than Soroban but similarly robust research base.
Chess
Good evidence for transfer to some cognitive tasks, particularly planning and strategic thinking. Less evidence for math-specific benefits than Soroban.
Physical Exercise
Extremely strong evidence for brain health and cognitive function. Probably the single best thing you can do for your child's brain. Should complement, not compete with, Soroban.
My Evidence-Based Recommendations
Based on my research review, here's my advice to parents:
- •Don't do Soroban ONLY for brain training. The math skill benefits are more proven and practical.
- •Be skeptical of dramatic claims. 'Boost IQ by 20 points!' is marketing nonsense.
- •Consider your child's learning style. Visual learners may benefit more from Soroban's approach.
- •Consistency matters. The studies showing benefits involve regular practice over months/years.
- •Don't neglect other activities. Physical exercise, creative play, and social interaction are also crucial for brain development.
- •Cognitive benefits are a bonus. If your child enjoys Soroban and improves at math, any additional brain benefits are icing on the cake.
The Bottom Line
As a neuroscientist, I went into this research skeptical. I came out convinced that Soroban has genuine, measurable effects on brain function and specific cognitive skills—more than most 'brain training' products.
As a mom, I'm happy my son is developing strong mental math skills, building focus, and feeling confident in a subject that intimidates many kids.
The brain benefits are real but modest. The math benefits are real and practical. The confidence benefits may be the most valuable of all.
The honest scientific answer: Soroban won't transform your child's brain into something superhuman. But it trains genuinely useful cognitive skills through a method that has better research support than most educational products. That's actually saying a lot.
The science is clear: Soroban builds real cognitive skills through a visual approach to math. See if it clicks for your child with a free trial—no neuroscience PhD required.
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