Effect of Auditory or Visual Working Memory Training on Dual-Task Interference

Motor Control ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 304-317
Author(s):  
Takehide Kimura ◽  
Ryouta Matsuura
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Multilevel Model ◽  
Visual Stimuli ◽  
Auditory Stimuli ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Task Interference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Dual Task Interference ◽  
Back Task

Dual-task interference causes many accidents. Working memory (WM) training has the potential to reduce dual-task interference. However, an effective method of WM training for reducing dual-task interference has not been established. This study aimed to examine whether WM training using auditory stimuli (auditory WM training) or visual stimuli (visual WM training) would more effectively reduce dual-task interference. Twenty-two young adults performed an N-back task with auditory or visual stimuli for auditory or visual WM training, for 2 weeks. The authors assessed dual-task interference before and after each training. The authors used a hierarchic multilevel model for these assessment parameters. As a result, visual WM training might be more effective for reducing dual-task interference than auditory WM training.

The Effects of Task Complexity and Practice on Dual-Task Interference in Visuospatial Working Memory

2005 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen J. Murray ◽  
Ken McFarland ◽  
Gina Geffen
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Dual Task ◽  
Task Complexity ◽  
Practice Effects ◽  
Task Interference ◽  
Recent Letter ◽  
Behavioural Performance ◽  
Linear Slope ◽  
Dual Task Interference ◽  
Back Task

AbstractAlthough the n-back task has been widely applied to neuroimagery investigations of working memory (WM), the role of practice effects on behavioural performance of this task has not yet been investigated. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of task complexity and familiarity on the n-back task. Seventy-seven participants (39 male, 38 female) completed a visuospatial n-back task four times, twice in two testing sessions separated by a week. Participants were required to remember either the first, second or third (n-back) most recent letter positions in a continuous sequence and to indicate whether the current item matched or did not match the remembered position. A control task, with no working memory requirements required participants to match to a predetermined stimulus position. In both testing sessions, reaction time (RT) and error rate increased with increasing WM load. An exponential slope for RTs in the first session indicated dual-task interference at the 3-back level. However, a linear slope in the second session indicated a reduction of dual-task interference. Attenuation of interference in the second session suggested a reduction in executive demands of the task with practice. This suggested that practice effects occur within the n-back task and need to be controlled for in future neuroimagery research using the task.

scholarly journals Improved cognitive performance and event-related potential changes following working memory training in patients with multiple sclerosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 205521731774762 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J Covey ◽  
Janet L Shucard ◽  
Ralph HB Benedict ◽  
Bianca Weinstock-Guttman ◽  
David W Shucard
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Working Memory ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Cognitive Rehabilitation ◽  
Event Related Potential ◽  
Working Memory Training ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Component Amplitude ◽  
Back Task

Background Few studies of cognitive rehabilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS) have targeted working memory specifically. Objective We examined the effects of n-back working memory training on cognitive performance and brain function in patients with MS. Methods Patients with MS ( n = 12) and healthy controls (HC; n = 12) underwent 20 sessions of n-back working memory training. Before and after training (pre- and posttest) cognitive event-related potential (ERP) measures were obtained during a 3-back task. In addition, a battery of cognitive tests was administered. Results Following n-back training, both MS patients and HCs showed significant improvement on tests of working memory, processing speed, complex attention, and reasoning ability. MS and HCs also exhibited an enhancement of N2 ERP component amplitude, and earlier N2 and P3 latencies, following n-back training. Conclusions Targeted training of working memory with the n-back task may improve cognitive function in MS. Enhancement of N2 ERP component amplitude and shorter N2 and P3 latency following training in patients with MS is consistent with plasticity of neural processes that are involved in working memory.

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