A Controlled Trial of Working Memory Training for Children and Adolescents with ADHD

Abstract

This study assessed the efficacy of a 5-week, intensive working memory training program for 52 children and adolescents (ages 7–17) who had Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other comorbid diagnoses. This study provided a treatment replication since the waitlist control group also completed training and was included in the follow-up data analyses. Parents and teachers completed paper-and-pencil measures of working memory, executive functioning, and ADHD symptoms at baseline, posttreatment, and 4-month follow-up. Parent ratings indicated that participants improved on inattention, overall number of ADHD symptoms, initiation, planning/organization, and working memory. Teacher ratings approached significance at posttreatment and at 4-month follow-up on and Initiate scale. Working memory training appears promising as an intervention in improving executive functioning and ADHD symptoms.

Notes

¹The working memory training program used was Cogmed RM developed by Cogmed America Inc.

Note: The F and p values that are reported are for the group (experimental vs. control) by time (baseline vs. posttreatment) interaction. ADHD = Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; DSM–IV = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text revision, APA, 2000).

^a n = 27 for the experimental group.

^b n = 24 for the control group.

*p < .05. **familywise alpha <.10.

Note: The F and p values that are reported are for the group (experimental vs. control) by time (baseline vs. posttreatment) interaction. BRIEF = Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function.

^a n = 27 for the experimental group.

^b n = 24 for the control group.

*p < .05. **familywise alpha <.10.

Note: ADHD = Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; DSM–IV = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text revision, APA, 2000).

^a n = 20.

^b n = 22.

*p < .05. **familywise alpha < .10.

Note: BRIEF = Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function.

^a n = 20.

^b n = 22.

*p < .05. **familywise alpha <.10.

Note: The teacher follow-up only includes participants in the experimental group, because summer vacation occurred before the control group follow-up data collection. ADHD = Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; DSM–IV = Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text revision, APA, 2000).

^a n = 32.

^b n = 23.

*p < .05. **familywise alpha <.10.

Note: The teacher follow-up only includes participants in the experimental group because summer vacation occurred before the control group follow-up data collection. BRIEF = Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function.

^a n = 32.

^b n = 23.

*p < .05. **familywise alpha <.10.