Reading on Paper Improves Cognitive Function, Accent Opaque Report Finds

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Core cognitive abilities increase when reading on paper versus a digital medium, according to a recent Did You Know (DYK) report called Memory Matters from Sylvamo’s Accent Opaque brand.
In the report, the brand team reviews scientific research and explains four key mental competencies paper reading improves:

Attention Span: Reading paper novels with more than 500 words trains the brain to focus and concentrate for longer durations, thus expanding the attention span over time.

Comprehension: The brain “understands, dissects and makes connections with more complex information” on paper. Ads, links and device notifications often accompany digital reading, while paper allows the reader to focus and better comprehend the information.

Mental Mapping: Mental mapping is the brain’s method to remember information easily by noting where it physically came from. Digital formats are difficult to map – the “standardized nature of information on paper pages” allows the brain to recall information quickly for a more comprehensive understanding of the material.

Retention: Consuming social media content often requires little time and effort, leading the brain to adapt to quickly reading and discarding information. Balancing social media with long-form paper content helps the brain increase focus and improve retention.

DYK is a monthly informational series in Accent’s® Learn initiative, designed to bring customers valuable trade knowledge via challenges, Master Classes, DYK editions and videos. Sign up to access more about paper benefits and uses, including print design, direct mail, digital printing and more at AccentOpaque.com/Learn.

Accent® also released a new children’s book, Apollo and the Treehouse, featuring text pages printed on Accent Opaque 80lb Super Smooth with ImageLOK® and covers printed on Accent Opaque 100lb Super Smooth. Introduce children to print’s benefits and order a free copy on their website.