| Working memory is the ability to temporarily hold information in one's mind, manipulate this information and then use it. Working memory is a critical skill in one's daily functioning as it impacts our ability to carry out multi-step directions, apply reading skills, solve complex mathematic problems, and perform many other academic tasks. Research has recently found that working memory skills can be increased with proper training. Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) is an online training program that is said to increase working memory and related skills in different populations of participants. Previous meta-analyses have analyzed the efficacy of CWMT and found no impact on reasoning ability, symptoms of ADHD, transfer effects on WM capacity, verbal ability, word reading, or arithmetic (Melby-Lervag & Hulme, 2013; Shipstead, Hick, & Engle, 2012). They did find immediate gains on verbal working memory and visual-spatial working memory, which did not maintain at follow up. The current study involved a meta-analysis of 13 recent (since 2011), published peer-reviewed articles or dissertations examining the effects of CWMT on auditory working memory, visual-spatial working memory, attention, parent and teacher ratings of inattention hyperactivity, self-ratings of ADHD symptoms and executive functions, reading skills, and math skills. The results of the meta-analysis only revealed a small impact on auditory working memory and a small to moderate effect on visual-spatial working memory. There was no impact on clinical measures of attention, self-rating of ADHD symptoms, teacher rating of inattention, nor parent rating of inattention. There were significant impacts on parent rating of inattention and teacher rating of hyperactivity. There was a small effect on self-rating of executive functions. In regards to academic skills, there were no statistical impacts on reading or math skills. |
