Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
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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
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Working memory updating training promotes plasticity & behavioural gains: A systematic review & meta-analysis
Katerina Pappa1, Viveka Biswas2, Kristin E Flegal2
1Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.
Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews
|August 2, 2020
Summary
Working memory updating (WMU) training significantly improves WMU performance and shows moderate near transfer effects. However, far transfer to other cognitive domains was not significant, indicating limited generalization of training gains.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Neuroplasticity
Background:
- Conflicting evidence exists on the effectiveness of working memory training.
- Working memory updating (WMU) training efficacy and transfer effects require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review working memory updating (WMU) training studies.
- To examine cognitive and neural outcomes of WMU training on trained and untrained tasks.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of adult brain imaging studies on WMU training.
- Qualitative assessment of training-induced neural changes.
- Meta-analysis of behavioral training and transfer effects.
Main Results:
- Significant behavioral training effects observed in WMU training groups.
- Moderate near transfer effects found on tasks within the same cognitive domain.
- Non-significant far transfer effects to other cognitive domains.
- WMU training led to decreased frontoparietal activity and varied subcortical activity.
Conclusions:
- WMU training enhances neuroplasticity.
- Potential applications exist for optimizing interventions in neurological populations.
- Further research needed on plasticity mechanisms and generalization of training gains.
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