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The effects of incentives on visual-spatial working memory in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Keri Shiels1, Larry W Hawk, Cynthia L Lysczek
1Department of Psychology, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Park Hall, P.O. Box 604110, Buffalo, NY 14260-4110, USA.
Insights
Motivational incentives improved the manipulation, but not storage, of visual information in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This suggests targeted rewards may enhance specific cognitive functions in ADHD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with core neurocognitive deficits, including working memory impairments.
- Working memory, crucial for cognitive tasks, involves both storage and manipulation of information.
- Motivational incentives are explored as a potential behavioral treatment for ADHD-related cognitive challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of motivational incentives on visual-spatial working memory in children with ADHD.
- To differentiate the effects of incentives on the storage versus manipulation components of working memory.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 21 children (ages 7-10) diagnosed with ADHD-combined type participated.
- A computerized spatial span task assessed visual-spatial storage (forward span) and manipulation (backward span).
- The task was administered twice: once with performance-based incentives and once without.
Main Results:
- Children with ADHD showed significantly better performance on the backward span (manipulation) with incentives compared to no incentives.
- Incentives did not significantly affect performance on the forward span (storage).
- These findings suggest a specific enhancement of information manipulation, not storage, due to incentives.
Conclusions:
- Motivational incentives may selectively improve the manipulation aspect of visual-spatial working memory in children with ADHD.
- The results indicate potential therapeutic benefits of reward-based interventions for specific cognitive deficits in ADHD.
- Differential effects might relate to incentives mitigating vigilance decrements during demanding cognitive tasks.
Abstract:
Working memory is one of several putative core neurocognitive processes in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The present work seeks to determine whether visual-spatial working memory is sensitive to motivational incentives, a laboratory analogue of behavioral treatment. Participants were 21 children (ages 7-10) with a diagnosis of ADHD-combined type. Participants completed a computerized spatial span task designed to assess storage of visual-spatial information (forward span) and manipulation of the stored information (backward span). The spatial span task was completed twice on the same day, once with a performance-based incentive (trial-wise feedback and points redeemable for prizes) and once without incentives. Participants performed significantly better on the backward span when rewarded for correct responses, compared to the no incentive condition. However, incentives had no effect on performance during the forward span. These findings may suggest the use of motivational incentives improved manipulation, but not storage, of visual-spatial information among children with ADHD. Possible explanations for the differential incentive effects are discussed, including the possibility that incentives prevented a vigilance decrement as task difficulty and time on task increased.
