Table 3.
Cogmed Working Memory Training outcomes by domain
| Study | Comparison Condition (effect sizea) |
Trained Cognitive Tasks (effect sizea) |
Non-Trained Cognitive Tasks (effect sizea) |
Behavioral Observations (effect sizea) |
Parent-Report (effect sizea) |
Teacher-Report (effect sizea) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beck et al. 2010 | Waitlist control | N/A | N/A | N/A | DSM ADHD Symptoms (inattention*); CRS*; BRIEF* (.85) | DSM ADHD Symptoms; CRS; BRIEF (.22) |
| Gray et al. 2012 | Academy of Math | WISC-IV Digit Span Forward and Backward*; CANTAB Spatial Span *; CANTAB Spatial WM ; (.06) | WMR; D2; WRAT-PM (.03) | N/A | SWAN; IOWA Conners Scale (−.08) | SWAN; IOWA Conners Scale (.04) |
| Green et al. 2012 | Placebo computerized working memory training | WISC-IV WMI* (.39) | N/A | RAST*b (.84) | CRS (−.21) | N/A |
| Holmes et al. 2010 | Within subject- compared on and off meds pre/post | AWMA* (.57) c | WASI (.12) c | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Klingberg et al. 2002 | Placebo computerized working memory training | Visuospatial WM Task*; Span-Board Task* (5.60) | Visuospatial WM Task*; Stroop Task*; Raven's*; CRTT (2.38) | # of Head Movements (infrared motion analysis system)* (2.83) | N/A | N/A |
| Klingberg et al. 2005 | Placebo computerized working memory training | WAIS-RNI Span-Board Task*; WISC-III Digit Span* (.74) | Stroop Task*; Raven's* (.61) | # of Head Movements (infrared motion analysis system) (.07) | DSM ADHD Symptoms*; CRS* (.54) | DSM ADHD Symptoms; CRS (.19) |
| Mezzacappa & Buckner 2010 d | Pre/post- no control group | WISC IV Digit Span*; WRAML Finger Windows*d | N/A | N/A | N/A | DSM ADHD Symptoms; ADHD-RS IV* d |
Cohen’s d reported for each domain. Average effect size calculated for domains where there are multiple measures
Effect Size calculated only for continuous data as other categories were coded as binary outcomes.
Effect Size determined by difference between no medication condition and CWMT
Standard deviations were not reported in study in order to calculate effect sizes.
Significant difference between groups in favor of Cogmed Working Memory Training
Note: CRS = Conners Rating Scale; CANTAB = Cambridge Neuropsychological Testing Automated Battery; DSM= Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; ADHD = Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; WAIS-RNI = Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale – Revised as a Neuropsychological Instrument; WISC = Wechsler Intelligence Test for Children; BRIEF = Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function; AWMA = Automated Working Memory Assessment; WRAML = Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning ; WMI = Working Memory Index; WASI = Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence; ADHD-RS IV = Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale, Fourth Edition; WM = Working Memory; WMR = Working Memory Rating Scale; WRAT-PM = Wide-Range Achievement Test-4-Progress Monitoring Version; SWAN = Strengths and Weakness of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-behavior Scale; RAST = Restricted Academic Situations Task; Raven’s = Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices; D2 = The D2 Test of Attention; CRTT = Choice Reaction Time Task