Predicting level of improvement in Cogmed Working Memory Training for youth with ADHD

Children diagnosed with ADHD experience challenges with working memory, attention, and other aspects of behavioral and emotional regulation. Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) is one type of computerized training program that has claimed to improve these areas of difficulty for kids with ADHD. While much of the current research exploring CWMT has focused on whether or not the program is effective, no current studies have investigated for whom the program might be effective. Thus, mental health providers and clinicians may be unsure when to recommend CWMT to their clients and their families. The current exploratory study represents the first investigation of participants’ individualized executive functioning profile that may predict who is likely to improve on CWMT.

The current study included 70 youth participants (seven – 16 years) formally diagnosed with ADHD. Each participant enrolled in CWMT’s training structure: 50 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 5 consecutive weeks. Utilizing parent-report measures, a profile of executive functioning abilities were created to predict who would demonstrate improvement on CWMT. The results of this study showed that participants with fewer internalizing mood symptoms, as well as those who completed a greater amount of training sessions, were more likely to improve. Overall, results demonstrate that clinicians may benefit from considering internalizing mood symptom findings prior to recommending CWMT, as well as to discuss with parents the benefit of completing more sessions to potentially optimize improvement from the program.