ADHD in Children
Visual Abstract
Computerized training of working memory in children with ADHD--a randomized, controlled trial
Brain Training and Working Memory in ADHD
Torkel Klingberg , Elisabeth Fernell, Pernille J Olesen, Mats Johnson, Per Gustafsson, Kerstin Dahlström, Christopher G Gillberg, Hans Forssberg, Helena Westerberg
Summarized by:
June 14, 2023
study source
J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
Feb 2005
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What they studied
This study aimed to examine whether working memory could be improved for those with ADHD through training exercises.
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What they found
Participants who performed training exercises experienced long term improvements in their working memory and ADHD symptoms.
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What this means
This, along with other studies, show that working memory can be improved with the right practice and training.
Computerized training of working memory in children with ADHD--a randomized, controlled trial
Objectives
Working memory is one of the most consistently found cognitive effects of ADHD.
This study wanted to see whether brain training could improve working memory for those with ADHD.
Study Quote
Deficits in executive functioning, including working memory (WM) deficits, have been suggested to be important in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). During 2002 to 2003, the authors conducted a multicenter, randomized, controlled, double-blind trial to investigate the effec...
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Methods
Researchers recruited children with ADHD, between the ages of seven and 12, for the study.
Researchers conducted a randomized trial, giving around half of the participants 20 days of computerized working memory training.
After training, they performed a cognitive test on the children to see whether those who received the training did better.
Study Quote
Included in the trial were 53 children with ADHD (9 girls; 15 of 53 inattentive subtype), aged 7 to 12 years, without stimulant medication. The compliance criterion (>20 days of training) was met by 44 subjects, 42 of whom were also evaluated at follow-up 3 months later. Participants wer...
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Results
The results showed that on the primary measure, tested by researchers, children who received brain training did significantly better than those who did not. Because the study was a randomized trial, these differences are most likely due to the training program.
Even after six months, the improvements persisted.
A small randomized trial found that children who performed computerized training exercises had significantly better working memory than children who did not.
In addition to improving working memory, the parents of the children who received training felt that the kids were more attentive and had fewer hyperactivity and impulsivity ADHD symptoms.
Study Quote
For the span-board task, there was a significant treatment effect both post-intervention and at follow-up. In addition, there were significant effects for secondary outcome tasks measuring verbal WM, response inhibition, and complex reasoning. Parent ratings showed significant reduction ...
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Conclusions
These results show that work in memory can be improved with proper training and practice. There is also evidence that training can help with ADHD symptoms as well.
This study is consistent with other studies that have found benefits for brain training and working memory.
Study Quote
This study shows that WM can be improved by training in children with ADHD. This training also improved response inhibition and reasoning and resulted in a reduction of the parent-rated inattentive symptoms of ADHD.