Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 17, 2025
07:01
Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
4.9K
Cogmed cognitive training for working memory: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Regina Silva Paradela1, Patrícia de Oliveira Dias2, Ariele Detogni3
1Instituto do Coração (InCor), Hospital das Clínicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Neuroscience
|June 28, 2025
Summary
Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) offers short-term cognitive benefits for adults immediately after use. However, evidence for long-lasting improvements in working memory is limited, especially for visuospatial skills.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neurorehabilitation
- Human Computer Interaction
Background:
- Computerized cognitive training is increasingly explored for cognitive enhancement and rehabilitation.
- The effectiveness of such programs, particularly for working memory (WM), is still under investigation.
- Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) is a widely used commercial program targeting WM improvement.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and evaluate the efficacy of Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) in improving working memory in adults.
- To synthesize findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to determine the short-term and sustained effects of CWMT.
- To provide evidence-based insights into the utility of CWMT for cognitive enhancement.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of PubMed, BVS, and CENTRAL databases up to January 14, 2024.
- Inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving participants aged 18 years or older using any version of Cogmed.
- Meta-analysis of primary outcomes, including post-training verbal and visuospatial working memory performance, using standardized mean differences (SMD).
Main Results:
- Eleven RCTs involving 298 articles were included in the meta-analysis.
- Participants using CWMT demonstrated significant immediate improvements in both verbal and visuospatial working memory scores post-training.
- A small, sustained benefit was observed for verbal working memory 2-6 months post-intervention; no significant sustained differences were found for visuospatial WM.
Conclusions:
- Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) provides short-term benefits for adult working memory, particularly immediately following the intervention.
- The evidence supporting sustained improvements in working memory from CWMT is limited, especially for visuospatial components.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term efficacy and potential moderators of CWMT effectiveness.
