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Related Concept Videos

Working Memory01:24

Working Memory

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Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this...
136

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2025

Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
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Examining Working Memory Training for Healthy Adults-A Second-Order Meta-Analysis.

Maria Syed1, Jarrad A G Lum1, Linda K Byrne1,2

  • 1Faculty of Health, School of Psychology, Deakin University, Melbourne 3125, Australia.

Journal of Intelligence
|November 26, 2024
PubMed
Summary

Working memory capacity in healthy adults can be improved with training, but the effect is small. Various training methods show similar small improvements, with no single method proving superior.

Keywords:
meta-analysismindfulness trainingphysical activity trainingrandomized controlled trialsvideo game trainingworking memory training

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Performance

Background:

  • Working memory enhancement is a popular research area in healthy individuals.
  • Numerous studies and meta-analyses have explored various training methods like mindfulness, adaptive training, physical activity, and video games.
  • This study aggregates existing meta-analyses to evaluate the overall potential for working memory improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To ascertain the extent to which working memory functioning can be enhanced in healthy adults.
  • To aggregate findings from multiple meta-analyses using second-order meta-analytic approaches.
  • To compare the efficacy of different working memory training interventions.

Main Methods:

  • A systematic search of APA PsycInfo, ERIC, and Medline databases identified six meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials.
  • Included meta-analyses focused on working memory interventions versus control groups in healthy adults aged 18-55.
  • The aggregated analyses examined effects of cognitive programs, mindfulness, video games, and physical activity.

Main Results:

  • A small but statistically significant average improvement in working memory was observed across studies (SMD = 0.335, p < .001).
  • No significant differences in effect sizes were found between the various working memory training programs.
  • The overall enhancement suggests a modest impact of training on working memory capacity.

Conclusions:

  • Working memory capacity in healthy adults can be improved through various training interventions.
  • The small effect size suggests limited practical utility for real-life cognitive improvements.
  • Current evidence does not support the superiority of any single type of working memory training over others.