Near-transfer effects following working memory intervention (Cogmed) in children with symptomatic epilepsy: An open randomized clinical trial

Epilepsia ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 56 (11) ◽  
pp. 1784-1792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth N. Kerr ◽  
Melissa C. Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Near Transfer ◽  
Symptomatic Epilepsy ◽  
Memory Intervention

Pattern of Near Transfer Effects Following Working Memory Training With a Dual N-Back Task

2017 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 240-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Soveri ◽  
Eric P. A. Karlsson ◽  
Otto Waris ◽  
Petra Grönholm-Nyman ◽  
Matti Laine
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Composite Score ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Interference Control ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Near Transfer ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Transfer Tasks ◽  
Back Task

Abstract. In a randomized controlled trial, we investigated the pattern of near transfer effects of working memory (WM) training with an adaptive auditory-visuospatial dual n-back training task in healthy young adults. The results revealed significant task-specific transfer to an untrained single n-back task, and more general near transfer to a WM updating composite score plus a nearly significant effect on a composite score measuring interference control in WM. No transfer effects were seen on Active or Passive WM composites. The results are discussed in the light of cognitive versus strategy-related overlap between training and transfer tasks.

scholarly journals Working Memory Training Does Not Enhance Older Adults’ Cognitive Skills: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Sala ◽  
N Deniz Aksayli ◽  
Kemal Semir ◽  
Yasuyuki Gondo ◽  
Fernand Gobet
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Fluid Intelligence ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Near Transfer ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Meta Analyses

In the last two decades, considerable efforts have been devoted to finding a way to enhance cognitive function by cognitive training. To date, the attempt to boost broad cognitive functions in the general population has failed. However, it is still possible that some cognitive training regimens exert a positive influence on specific populations, such as older adults. In this meta-analytic review, we investigated the effects of working memory (WM) training on older adults’ cognitive skills. Three robust-variance-estimation meta-analyses (N = 2,140, m = 43, and k = 698) were run to analyze the effects of the intervention on (a) the trained tasks, (b) near-transfer measures, and (c) far-transfer measures. While large effects were found for the trained tasks (g ̅ = 0.877), only modest (g ̅ = 0.274) and near-zero (g ̅ = 0.121) effects were obtained in the near-transfer and far-transfer meta-analyses, respectively. Publication-bias analysis provided adjusted estimates that were slightly lower. Moreover, when active control groups were implemented, the far-transfer effects were null (g ̅ = -0.008). Finally, the effects were highly consistent across studies (i.e., low or null true heterogeneity), especially in the near- and far-transfer models. While confirming the difficulty in obtaining transfer effects with cognitive training, these results corroborate recent empirical evidence suggesting that WM is not isomorphic with other fundamental cognitive skills such as fluid intelligence.

scholarly journals A head-to-head randomized clinical trial of methylphenidate and atomoxetine treatment for executive function in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 1959-1973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsing-Chang Ni ◽  
Chi-Yung Shang ◽  
Susan Shur-Fen Gau ◽  
Yu-Ju Lin ◽  
Hui-Chun Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Executive Functions ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Spatial Planning ◽  
Spatial Working Memory ◽  
Psychiatric Interview ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Results regarding the effects of methylphenidate and atomoxetine on executive functions were inconsistent and no study has directly compared the efficacy of these two medications in improving executive functions in adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conducted an 8–10 wk, open-label, head-to-head, randomized clinical trial involving adults with a clinical diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by psychiatric interview. The two treatment arms were immediate-release methylphenidate (IR-methylphenidate) (n = 31) and atomoxetine once daily (n = 32). Executive functions were assessed by the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), including spatial working memory, spatial span, intra-extra dimensional set shifts, rapid visual information processing and Stockings of Cambridge (SOC). In addition to the symptom assessments at baseline (week 0), visit 2 (week 4–5) and visit 3 (week 8–10), they received CANTAB assessments at baseline and visit 3 (60.4 ± 6.3 d). Compared to baseline, adults treated with atomoxetine showed significant improvement in spatial working memory, spatial short-term memory, sustained attention and spatial planning at visit 3; adults treated with IR-methylphenidate showed significant improvement in spatial working memory at visit 3. Comparing the magnitude of improvement in executive functions between these two medications, the effect was generally similar for the two groups, although atomoxetine might have significantly greater efficacy than IR-methylphenidate in terms of improving spatial planning (SOC). Our results provide evidence to support that both IR-methylphenidate and atomoxetine improved various executive functions in adults with ADHD with greater improvement in atomoxetine than IR-methylphenidate in spatial planning.

scholarly journals Cannabidiol and Amisulpride Improve Cognition in Acute Schizophrenia in an Explorative, Double-Blind, Active-Controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Markus Leweke ◽  
Cathrin Rohleder ◽  
Christoph W. Gerth ◽  
Martin Hellmich ◽  
Ralf Pukrop ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trial ◽  
Processing Speed ◽  
Visual Memory ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Comparable Efficacy ◽  
Visuomotor Coordination ◽  
Double Blind

Cannabidiol (CBD), a principal phytocannabinoid constituent, has demonstrated antipsychotic properties in recent clinical trials. While it has also been suggested a promising candidate for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, it failed to demonstrate efficacy in cognitive impairments associated with schizophrenia as an add-on treatment (600 mg/day for 6 weeks) in 18 chronically ill patients co-treated with a variety of psychopharmacologic drugs. Here, we report on the results of parallel-group, active-controlled, mono-therapeutic, double-blind, randomized clinical trial (CBD-CT1; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00628290) in 42 acute paranoid schizophrenic patients receiving either CBD (up to 800 mg/day) or amisulpride (AMI, up to 800 mg/day) for four weeks in an inpatient setting with neurocognition as a secondary objective. Twentynine patients (15 and 14 in the CBD and AMI group, respectively) completed two cognitive assessments at baseline and the end of the treatment period. We investigated the following cognitive domains: pattern recognition, attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory and learning, processing speed, and verbal executive functions. When applying the Bonferroni correction for multiple testing, p < 0.0004 would indicate statistical significance. There was no relevant difference in neurocognitive performance between the CBD and the AMI group at baseline, and we observed no post-treatment differences between both groups. However, we observed improvements within both groups from pre-to post-treatment (standardized differences reported as Cohen’s d) in visual memory (CBD: 0.49, p = 0.015 vs. AMI: 0.63, p = 0.018) and processing speed (CBD: 0.41, p = 0.004 vs. AMI: 0.57, p = 0.023). Furthermore, CBD improved sustained attention (CBD: 0.47, p = 0.013, vs. AMI: 0.52, p = 0.085), and visuomotor coordination (CBD: 0.32, p = 0.010 vs. AMI: 0.63, p = 0.088) while AMI led to enhanced working memory performance in two different paradigms (Subject Ordered Pointing Task–AMI: 0.53, p = 0.043 vs. CBD: 0.03, p = 0.932 and Letter Number Sequencing–AMI: 0.67, p = 0.017 vs. CBD: 0.08 p = 0.755). There was no relevant correlation between changes in neurocognitive parameters and psychotic symptoms or anandamide serum levels. This study shows that both CBD and AMI improve neurocognitive functioning with comparable efficacy in young and acutely ill schizophrenia patients via an anandamide-independent mechanism.

scholarly journals Transfer Effects of Working Memory Intervention on Linguistic Abilities in Patients with Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Sook Lee ◽  
Bo Seon Kim
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Figurative Language ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Word Fluency ◽  
Discourse Production ◽  
Memory Intervention ◽  
Multiple Domains

Purpose: Working memory training for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients may yield everyday cognitive- linguistic benefits by facilitating transfer effects in multiple domains. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of working memory intervention and differences on transfer effects in type of intervention paradigm like core training (CT) and strategy training (ST).Methods: A total of 24 patients with mild and moderate AD were divided into CT and ST group (n = 12, respectively). After CT and ST interventions, we assessed their transfer effects on linguistic abilities including reading comprehension, figurative language, word fluency, and discourse production. Results: There were three main findings. Firstly, CT group improved significantly in figurative language, word fluency, and discourse production. Secondly, ST group showed the significant intervention gains in figurative language and discourse production. Thirdly, CT group had higher transfer effects in figurative language and discourse production than ST group, while both were similar in other transfer effects.Conclusion: This study proves that effects of working memory intervention for AD patients are different in type of paradigm, and thereby presents a roadmap for increasing the efficacy and utilization of working memory intervention in clinical settings.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Working Memory Training Programs for Special Needs and Typically Developing Students in Arab Countries: A Meta-Analysis Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 41-73
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Special Needs ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Working Memory Training ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Near Transfer

Working memory training programs have attracted great interest, with claims that the training programs can have diverse beneficial effects. The purpose of this article was to examine near- and far-transfer effects following working-memory training and identify the significant moderators related to these effects. Twenty- three research articles were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that near-transfer effects of verbal and visual-spatial working memory skills had effect sizes ranging from 3.22 to 2.99 respectively. Far-transfer effects of reading comprehension and academic achievement had effect sizes ranging from 3.17 to 2.43 respectively. Two significant moderators, namely, learner status (typically/special needs) and duration of training sessions(less 40 m/more 40 m) had an impact on near-transfer effects only.

scholarly journals The Pursuit of Effective Working Memory Training: a Pre-registered Randomised Controlled Trial with a Novel Varied Training Protocol

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liisa Ritakallio ◽  
Daniel Fellman ◽  
Jussi Jylkkä ◽  
Otto Waris ◽  
Nelly Lönnroth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Transfer Effects ◽  
Far Transfer ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
Near Transfer ◽  
Training Approach ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Training Protocol

AbstractWorking memory (WM) training, typically entailing repetitive practice with one or two tasks, has mostly yielded only limited task-specific transfer effects. We developed and tested a new WM training approach where the task paradigm, stimulus type, and predictability of the stimulus sequence were constantly altered during the 4-week training period. We expected that this varied training protocol would generate more extensive transfer by facilitating the use of more general strategies that could be applied to a range of WM tasks. Pre-post transfer effects following varied training (VT group, n = 60) were compared against traditional training (TT group, training a single adaptive WM task, n = 63), and active controls (AC, n = 65). As expected, TT evidenced strong task-specific near transfer as compared to AC. In turn, VT exhibited task-specific near transfer only on one of the measures, and only as compared to the TT group. Critically, no evidence for task-general near transfer or far transfer effects was observed. In sum, the present form of VT failed to demonstrate broader transfer. Nevertheless, as VT has met with success in other cognitive domains, future studies should probe if and how it would be possible to design WM training protocols that promote structural learning where common features of specific tasks would be identified and utilised when selecting strategies for novel memory tasks.

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