Improving attention control in dysphoria through cognitive training: transfer effects on working memory capacity and...

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Dysphoria is associated with impaired filtering of irrelevant information, leading to reduced working memory capacity for relevant information.
• Attentional control deficits are implicated in the cognitive impairments observed in dysphoria.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if working memory training on the dual n-back task enhances inhibitory function in individuals with dysphoria.
• To examine the impact of training on neural measures of working memory capacity and filtering efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Dysphoric participants completed an adaptive dual n-back training task or an active control task.
• Working memory performance and filtering efficiency were assessed using a change detection paradigm measuring event-related potential asymmetry.

Main Results:

• The training group demonstrated significant improvements in working memory performance.
• These behavioral gains were associated with enhanced working memory capacity and filtering efficiency, as indicated by neural measures.
• Improvements in the training group surpassed those in the active control group.

Conclusions:

• Working memory training can effectively improve both behavioral performance and neural function related to attentional control in dysphoria.
• Facilitating attentional control through cognitive training offers a promising avenue for intervention in dysphoria.