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Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
Computerized working memory training improves function in adolescents born at extremely low birth weight
Gro C C Løhaugen1, Ida Antonsen, Asta Håberg
1Department of Pediatrics and Rehabilitation, Sørlandet Hospital, Arendal, Norway. gro.c.lohaugen@ntnu.no
Insights
Computerized working memory training improved cognitive functions in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) adolescents. These gains in working memory and executive functions were sustained at six months.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Rehabilitation
Background:
- Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants often experience cognitive deficits.
- Working memory and executive functions are critical for academic success.
- Targeted interventions may mitigate long-term neurodevelopmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of a computerized working memory training program.
- To evaluate effects on trained and untrained cognitive functions in ELBW adolescents.
- To determine if improvements are maintained over time.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving ELBW adolescents and term-born controls.
- Participants engaged in a 5-week home-based computerized working memory training program (CogMed RM).
- Neuropsychological assessments were conducted pre-training, post-training, and at a 6-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- Both ELBW and control groups showed significant improvements in trained and untrained working memory tasks.
- Generalizing effects were observed on other memory tests.
- Improvements in working memory capacity were maintained at the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The CogMed RM program effectively enhanced memory and executive functions in ELBW adolescents.
- Computerized cognitive training can be a valuable tool for addressing learning deficits.
- Sustained cognitive improvements suggest long-term benefits of the intervention.
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of a computerized working memory training program on both trained and non-trained verbal aspects of working memory and executive and memory functions in extremely low birth weight (ELBW; <1000 g) infants.
Study Design:
Sixteen ELBW infants and 19 term-born control subjects aged 14 to 15 years participated in the training program, and 11 adolescents were included as a non-intervention group. Extensive neuropsychological assessment was performed before and immediately after training and at a 6-month follow-up examination. Both training groups used the CogMed RM program at home 5 days a week for 5 weeks.
Results:
Both groups improved significantly on trained and non-trained working memory tasks and on other memory tests indicating a generalizing effect. Working memory capacity was improved, and effects were maintained at the 6-month follow-up examination. There was no significant improvement in the non-intervention group at the 6-week follow-up examination.
Conclusions:
The computerized training program Cogmed RM was an effective intervention tool for improving memory and reducing core learning deficits in adolescents born at ELBW.
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