Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children

Joni Holmes; Susan E. Gathercole; Darren L. Dunning

doi:10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x

Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children

Joni Holmes, Susan E. Gathercole, Darren L. Dunning

Psychology

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Working memory plays a crucial role in supporting learning, with poor progress in reading and mathematics characterizing children with low memory skills. This study investigated whether these problems can be overcome by a training program designed to boost working memory. Children with low working memory skills were assessed on measures of working memory, IQ and academic attainment before and after training on either adaptive or non-adaptive versions of the program. Adaptive training that taxed working memory to its limits was associated with substantial and sustained gains in working memory, with age-appropriate levels achieved by the majority of children. Mathematical ability also improved significantly 6 months following adaptive training. These findings indicate that common impairments in working memory and associated learning difficulties may be overcome with this behavioral treatment.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	F9-F15
Number of pages	7
Journal	Developmental Science
Volume	12
Issue number	4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x
Publication status	Published - Jul 2009

Keywords

INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS
FLUID INTELLIGENCE
CAPACITY
DISABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE
SPAN
VIEW

Access to Document

10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x

Cite this

@article{6dd7b9f5cb174a7281c8d137a19d6394,

title = "Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children",

abstract = "Working memory plays a crucial role in supporting learning, with poor progress in reading and mathematics characterizing children with low memory skills. This study investigated whether these problems can be overcome by a training program designed to boost working memory. Children with low working memory skills were assessed on measures of working memory, IQ and academic attainment before and after training on either adaptive or non-adaptive versions of the program. Adaptive training that taxed working memory to its limits was associated with substantial and sustained gains in working memory, with age-appropriate levels achieved by the majority of children. Mathematical ability also improved significantly 6 months following adaptive training. These findings indicate that common impairments in working memory and associated learning difficulties may be overcome with this behavioral treatment.",

keywords = "INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES, EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS, FLUID INTELLIGENCE, CAPACITY, DISABILITIES, KNOWLEDGE, SPAN, VIEW",

author = "Joni Holmes and Gathercole, {Susan E.} and Dunning, {Darren L.}",

year = "2009",

month = jul,

doi = "10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x",

language = "English",

volume = "12",

pages = "F9--F15",

journal = "Developmental Science",

issn = "1363-755X",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "4",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children

AU - Holmes, Joni

AU - Gathercole, Susan E.

AU - Dunning, Darren L.

PY - 2009/7

Y1 - 2009/7

N2 - Working memory plays a crucial role in supporting learning, with poor progress in reading and mathematics characterizing children with low memory skills. This study investigated whether these problems can be overcome by a training program designed to boost working memory. Children with low working memory skills were assessed on measures of working memory, IQ and academic attainment before and after training on either adaptive or non-adaptive versions of the program. Adaptive training that taxed working memory to its limits was associated with substantial and sustained gains in working memory, with age-appropriate levels achieved by the majority of children. Mathematical ability also improved significantly 6 months following adaptive training. These findings indicate that common impairments in working memory and associated learning difficulties may be overcome with this behavioral treatment.

AB - Working memory plays a crucial role in supporting learning, with poor progress in reading and mathematics characterizing children with low memory skills. This study investigated whether these problems can be overcome by a training program designed to boost working memory. Children with low working memory skills were assessed on measures of working memory, IQ and academic attainment before and after training on either adaptive or non-adaptive versions of the program. Adaptive training that taxed working memory to its limits was associated with substantial and sustained gains in working memory, with age-appropriate levels achieved by the majority of children. Mathematical ability also improved significantly 6 months following adaptive training. These findings indicate that common impairments in working memory and associated learning difficulties may be overcome with this behavioral treatment.

KW - INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES

KW - EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS

KW - FLUID INTELLIGENCE

KW - CAPACITY

KW - DISABILITIES

KW - KNOWLEDGE

KW - SPAN

KW - VIEW

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=67049088234&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x

DO - 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x

M3 - Article

SN - 1363-755X

VL - 12

SP - F9-F15

JO - Developmental Science

JF - Developmental Science

IS - 4

ER -

Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children

Abstract

Keywords

Access to Document

Other files and links

Cite this