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| {{Infobox company | |||
| {{POV check|date=June 2015}} | |||
| | name = LearningRx | |||
| | logo = LearningRx logo.jpg | |||
| | type = Franchise | |||
| | industry = Learning | |||
| | fate = | |||
| | predecessor = <!-- or: | predecessors = --> | |||
| | successor = <!-- or: | successors = --> | |||
| | founded = {{Start date and age|2002|08}} in Colorado Springs, Colorado | |||
| | founder = Ken Gibson | |||
| | defunct = <!-- {{End date|YYYY|MM|DD}} --> | |||
| | hq_location_city = Colorado Springs, Colorado | |||
| | hq_location_country = United States | |||
| | area_served = <!-- or: | areas_served = --> | |||
| | key_people = | |||
| | products = | |||
| | owner = <!-- or: | owners = --> | |||
| | num_employees = | |||
| | num_employees_year = <!-- Year of num_employees data (if known) --> | |||
| | parent = | |||
| ⚫ | | website = | ||
| }} | |||
| ⚫ | '''LearningRx''' is a ] based in ]. The company claims to improve ]. | ||
| ] | |||
| ⚫ | '''LearningRx''' is a ] based in ]. The company |
||
| ==Background and history== | |||
| ==History== | |||
| ⚫ | The company was founded by Ken Gibson, who started the first LearningRx in August 2002 in ]. The first franchise had $250,000 in revenue in its initial four months.<ref name="Wilson">{{cite news|last=Wilson |first=Sara |date=2005-09-01 |title=Making the Grade: Franchising can help entrepreneurs make a difference in people's lives |url=http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/79430 |newspaper=] |accessdate=2015-05-25 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150525171611/http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/79430 |archivedate=2015-05-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other LearningRx franchises were opened in 2003; 27 were started that year.<ref name="Wilson"/> The company says its teaching methods are grounded in founder Ken Gibson and his brother Keith Gibson's experience.<ref name="Lima">{{cite news|last=Lima |first=Christina |date=2006-11-30 |title=LearningRx offers help to struggling students |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/s/InfoWeb/aggdocs/AWNB/115C04C2617D74B0/BBC7CC9A7BC74947BFA63E13740F57F3 |newspaper=] |accessdate=2014-12-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100809145945/http://iw.newsbank.com/iw-search/we/InfoWeb?p_action=doc |archivedate=2010-08-09 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | ||
| {{update|section|date=May 2015}} | |||
| ⚫ | The |
||
| As of 2016 the company says its games are "designed by scientists to challenge core cognitive abilities;"<ref name=CNN2016/> prior to that, according to the FTC, it had "deceptively claim their programs were clinically proven to permanently improve serious health conditions like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and concussions".<ref name="Morran2016-05-18"/> | |||
| Around 2010, the ] presented ] with a ] to do research on LearningRx.<ref name="Lima"/> The study was completed by 2012 by Oliver W. Hill Jr., a professor of psychology at the university.<ref name="Hurley2012-11-04">{{cite news |last=Hurley |first=Dan |authorlink=Dan Hurley (author) |date=2012-11-04 |title=The Brain Trainers |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/a-new-kind-of-tutoring-aims-to-make-students-smarter.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=] |accessdate=2014-12-31 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VDvZidgc |archivedate=2014-12-31 }}</ref> In 2014, the firm opened a branch in ].<ref name="2014-10-01">{{cite news |date=2014-10-01 |title=New Learning Center Opens In Sherman |url=http://www.kten.com/story/26683548/new-learning-center-opens-in-sherman |publisher=] |accessdate=2015-06-05 |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20150605032339/http://www.kten.com/story/26683548/new-learning-center-opens-in-sherman |archivedate=2015-06-05 }}</ref> | |||
| == |
==Legal matters== | ||
| Most of the company's clients are children and adolescents who have trouble with reading, focusing, and working out puzzles. They typically have poor academic performance in schools. LearningRx evaluates the clients and pairs them with an instructor for coaching.<ref name="Wilson"/> The objectives of the LearningRx program is to improve the academic performance of students through a series of cognitive exercises claimed to re-stimulate the brain and overcome ] such as ]. These are done by a series of cognitive exercises claimed to strengthen brain reasoning and other learning capacities.<ref name="Lima"/> | |||
| Starting in January 2015, the ] (FTC) sued other companies selling "brain training" programs or other products intended to improve cognitive function, including WordSmart Corporation, the company that makes ], and Brain Research Labs (which sold ]s) for deceptive advertising.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Austin|first1=Neil|title=Brainstorm: FTC Continues Enforcement Trend Against Cognitive Function Claims|url=http://www.trademarkandcopyrightlawblog.com/2016/05/brainstorm-ftc-continues-enforcement-trend-against-cognitive-function-claims/|work=Trademark and Copyright Law|date=May 24, 2016}}</ref> Later that year the FTC also sued LearningRx in the ] in Denver for similar reasons.<ref name=CNN2016>{{cite news|last1=Howard|first1=Jacqueline|title=Do brain-training exercises really work?|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/20/health/brain-training-exercises/|work=CNN|date=October 20, 2016}}</ref> | |||
| Their methods include testing students with (and without) learning difficulties such as reading, applying the prescribed procedures and re-testing at the end of the program to see the difference in cognitive skills as a result of the program and one-on-one training.<ref name="2009-02-21">{{cite news |date=2009-02-21 |title=Program designed to make learning easier |url=http://prev.dailyherald.com/story/print/?id=273928 |newspaper=] |agency=] |accessdate=2014-12-31 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6VDv5KjUO |archivedate=2014-12-31 }}</ref> | |||
| The FTC stated LearningRx made unproven assertions in its marketing materials that clinical trials had demonstrated LearningRx helped increase people's IQ and income and mitigated clients' medical issues.<ref name="Heilman2016-10-16">{{cite news|last=Heilman |first=Wayne |date=2016-10-16 |title=Lessons for LearningRx on comeback from federal lawsuit |url=http://gazette.com/lessons-for-learningrx-on-comeback-from-federal-lawsuit/article/1587895 |newspaper=] |accessdate=2016-10-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031011440/http://gazette.com/lessons-for-learningrx-on-comeback-from-federal-lawsuit/article/1587895 |archivedate=2016-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In its lawsuit, the FTC said LearningRx had been "deceptively claim their programs were clinically proven to permanently improve serious health conditions like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and concussions".<ref name="Morran2016-05-18">{{cite news|last=Morran |first=Chris |date=2016-05-18 |title=LearningRx To Pay $200K For Allegedly Unproven Claims That Brain Training Can Improve Income, Treat Autism & ADHD |url=https://consumerist.com/2016/05/18/learningrx-to-pay-200k-for-allegedly-unproven-claims-that-brain-training-can-improve-income-treat-autism-adhd/ |newspaper=] |accessdate=2016-10-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031011947/https://consumerist.com/2016/05/18/learningrx-to-pay-200k-for-allegedly-unproven-claims-that-brain-training-can-improve-income-treat-autism-adhd/ |archivedate=2016-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> LearningRx had made these claims on its website, ], ], ], as well as in advertisements in newspapers and on radio.<ref name="Iandolo2016-05-26">{{cite news|last=Iandolo |first=Mark |date=2016-05-26 |title=LearningRx marketers to pay $200,000 to settle deceptive advertising allegations |url=http://legalnewsline.com/stories/510741713-learningrx-marketers-to-pay-200-000-to-settle-deceptive-advertising-allegations |newspaper=Legal Newsline |publisher=] |accessdate=2016-10-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031024637/http://legalnewsline.com/stories/510741713-learningrx-marketers-to-pay-200-000-to-settle-deceptive-advertising-allegations |archivedate=2016-10-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
| In 2016, LearningRx settled with the FTC by agreeing not to make the disputed assertions unless they had "competent and reliable scientific evidence" which was defined as ]s done by competent scientists. For the judgment's monetary component, LearningRx agreed to pay $200,000 of a $4 million settlement.<ref name="Heilman2016-10-16"/> | |||
| ==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
| The "]" field has been controversial in the scientific community; in 2014 a group of 75 scientists put out a statement saying that most claims made by companies in the field were ], which was countered several months later by an industry-organized group of scientists who said that there was evidence for their effectiveness.<ref name=CNN2016/> | |||
| Amongst the negative commentaries towards LearningRx programs from the academic community has been ] professor ] of the ]. According to Detterman, the programs exercises help improve skills in tests conducted by the institution itself and not improvement on skills in general. He further stated that the studies conducted by commercial services that support their claims of benefits are poorly done.<ref name="Hurley2012-11-04"/> | |||
| In 2012 ] of the ] said that the program's exercises help improve skills in tests conducted by the institution itself but not improvement on skills in general and that the studies conducted by commercial services that support their claims of benefits are poorly done.<ref name="Hurley2012-11-04">{{cite news|last=Hurley |first=Dan |authorlink=Dan Hurley (author) |date=2012-11-04 |title=The Brain Trainers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/a-new-kind-of-tutoring-aims-to-make-students-smarter.html?pagewanted=all |newspaper=] |accessdate=2014-12-31 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231045716/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/04/education/edlife/a-new-kind-of-tutoring-aims-to-make-students-smarter.html?pagewanted=all |archivedate=2014-12-31 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | |||
| ], a professor at the ]'s Institute of Child Development,<ref name="Miranda"/> and advisor to a partnered organization,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aweartechnologies.net/team/ |title=Team Awear Technologies |date=2015 |website=Awear Technologies |accessdate=2015-06-04 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6Z1aog3Ab |archivedate=2015-06-04 }} </ref> spoke in support of the program. Zelazo said in a 2010 interview with the '']'', "The logic behind a program like LearningRx seems sound. In general, scientists have come to the conclusion that the brain is much more plastic and modifiable than people have previously imagined."<ref name="Miranda"/> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| *] | *] | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| ==Further reading== | |||
| * {{cite book |last=Hurley |first=Dan |authorlink=Dan Hurley (author) |date=2013 |title=Smarter: The New Science of Building Brain Power |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ZDIAAAAQBAJ |location=London |publisher=] |pages=58–64 |isbn=0698148495 |accessdate=2015-05-25 }} | |||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| ⚫ | |||
| * | |||
| {{Brain training programs}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:37, 18 June 2024
 | |
| Company type | Franchise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Learning |
| Founded | August 2002; 22 years ago (2002-08) in Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Founder | Ken Gibson |
| Headquarters | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States |
| Website | Official website |
LearningRx is a franchise based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The company claims to improve cognitive abilities.
Background and history
The company was founded by Ken Gibson, who started the first LearningRx in August 2002 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The first franchise had $250,000 in revenue in its initial four months. Other LearningRx franchises were opened in 2003; 27 were started that year. The company says its teaching methods are grounded in founder Ken Gibson and his brother Keith Gibson's experience.
As of 2016 the company says its games are "designed by scientists to challenge core cognitive abilities;" prior to that, according to the FTC, it had "deceptively claim their programs were clinically proven to permanently improve serious health conditions like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and concussions".
Legal matters
Starting in January 2015, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued other companies selling "brain training" programs or other products intended to improve cognitive function, including WordSmart Corporation, the company that makes Lumosity, and Brain Research Labs (which sold dietary supplements) for deceptive advertising. Later that year the FTC also sued LearningRx in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado in Denver for similar reasons.
The FTC stated LearningRx made unproven assertions in its marketing materials that clinical trials had demonstrated LearningRx helped increase people's IQ and income and mitigated clients' medical issues. In its lawsuit, the FTC said LearningRx had been "deceptively claim their programs were clinically proven to permanently improve serious health conditions like ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), autism, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, strokes, and concussions". LearningRx had made these claims on its website, Facebook, Twitter, advertising mail, as well as in advertisements in newspapers and on radio.
In 2016, LearningRx settled with the FTC by agreeing not to make the disputed assertions unless they had "competent and reliable scientific evidence" which was defined as randomized controlled trials done by competent scientists. For the judgment's monetary component, LearningRx agreed to pay $200,000 of a $4 million settlement.
Reception
The "brain training" field has been controversial in the scientific community; in 2014 a group of 75 scientists put out a statement saying that most claims made by companies in the field were pseudoscience, which was countered several months later by an industry-organized group of scientists who said that there was evidence for their effectiveness.
In 2012 Douglas K. Detterman of the Case Western Reserve University said that the program's exercises help improve skills in tests conducted by the institution itself but not improvement on skills in general and that the studies conducted by commercial services that support their claims of benefits are poorly done.
See also
References
- ^ Wilson, Sara (2005-09-01). "Making the Grade: Franchising can help entrepreneurs make a difference in people's lives". Entrepreneur. Archived from the original on 2015-05-25. Retrieved 2015-05-25.
- Lima, Christina (2006-11-30). "LearningRx offers help to struggling students". The Oregonian. Archived from the original on 2010-08-09. Retrieved 2014-12-31.
- ^ Howard, Jacqueline (October 20, 2016). "Do brain-training exercises really work?". CNN.
- ^ Morran, Chris (2016-05-18). "LearningRx To Pay $200K For Allegedly Unproven Claims That Brain Training Can Improve Income, Treat Autism & ADHD". Consumerist. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- Austin, Neil (May 24, 2016). "Brainstorm: FTC Continues Enforcement Trend Against Cognitive Function Claims". Trademark and Copyright Law.
- ^ Heilman, Wayne (2016-10-16). "Lessons for LearningRx on comeback from federal lawsuit". The Gazette. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- Iandolo, Mark (2016-05-26). "LearningRx marketers to pay $200,000 to settle deceptive advertising allegations". Legal Newsline. Institute for Legal Reform. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2016-10-31.
- Hurley, Dan (2012-11-04). "The Brain Trainers". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2014-12-31. Retrieved 2014-12-31.
External links
| Brain training programs | |
|---|---|
