Conventional working memory training may not improve intelligence

Abstract Objective Youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk for neurocognitive deficits including problems with working memory (WM), but few interventions to improve functioning exist. This study sought to determine the feasibility and efficacy of home-based, digital WM training on short-term memory and WM, behavioral outcomes, and academic fluency using a parallel group randomized controlled trial design. Methods 47 children (7–16 years) with SCD and short-term memory or WM difficulties were randomized to Cogmed Working Memory Training at home on a tablet device (N = 24) or to a standard care Waitlist group (N = 23) that used Cogmed after the waiting period. Primary outcomes assessed in clinic included performance on verbal and nonverbal short-term memory and WM tasks. Secondary outcomes included parent-rated executive functioning and tests of math and reading fluency. Results In the evaluable sample, the Cogmed group (N = 21) showed greater improvement in visual WM compared with the Waitlist group (N = 22; p = .03, d = 0.70 [CI95 = 0.08, 1.31]). When examining a combined sample of participants, those who completed ≥10 training sessions exhibited significant improvements in verbal short-term memory, visual WM, and math fluency. Adherence to Cogmed was lower than expected (M = 9.07 sessions, SD = 7.77), with 19 participants (41%) completing at least 10 sessions. Conclusions: Visual WM, an ability commonly affected by SCD, is modifiable with cognitive training. Benefits extended to verbal short-term memory and math fluency when patients completed a sufficient training dose. Additional research is needed to identify ideal candidates for training and determine whether training gains are sustainable and generalize to real-world outcomes.

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Working memory training in post-stroke aphasia: Near and far transfer effects

Journal of Communication Disorders ◽

10.1016/j.jcomdis.2020.106077 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 89 ◽

pp. 106077

Author(s):

Maryam Nikravesh ◽

Mahshid Aghajanzadeh ◽

Saman Maroufizadeh ◽

Arezoo Saffarian ◽

Zahra Jafari

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Working Memory Training ◽

Memory Training ◽

Transfer Effects ◽

Far Transfer ◽

Post Stroke

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The effects of working memory training in children revealed by behavioral responses and ERP

Brain and Behavior ◽

10.1002/brb3.2310 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jie Xu ◽

Meiqi Deng ◽

Wenya Nan ◽

Dan Cai

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Behavioral Responses ◽

Working Memory Training ◽

Memory Training

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Publisher Correction to: BRAINSTORMING: A study protocol for a randomised double-blind clinical trial to assess the impact of concurrent brain stimulation (tDCS) and working memory training on cognitive performance in Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)

BMC Psychology ◽

10.1186/s40359-021-00516-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Sara Assecondi ◽

Rong Hu ◽

Gail Eskes ◽

Michelle Read ◽

Chris Griffiths ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trial ◽

Working Memory ◽

Brain Injury ◽

Cognitive Performance ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Working Memory Training ◽

Memory Training ◽

Double Blind ◽

Double Blind Clinical Trial ◽

The Impact

Following publication of the original article [1], the authors flagged that the article had published with the Acknowledgements erroneously excluded from the declarations at the end of the article.

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