Working Memory Training in ADHD: Controlling for Engagement, Motivation, and Expectancy of Improvement (Pilot Study). Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a shortened-length session of CogMed Working Memory Training (CWMT) would be a suitable active control group and evaluate study protocol to aid in design refinements for a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). METHOD: Thirty-eight post-secondary students diagnosed with ADHD were randomized into 25 sessions of standard (45 min/session) or shortened (15 min/session) CWMT, or into a waitlist control group. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in completion rate or training index score between the standard- and shortened-length groups indicating that both groups showed improvement and put forth good effort during training. CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that shorter training sessions may induce similar levels of engagement, motivation, and expectancy of improvement in participants. We conclude that a larger scale RCT that utilizes shortened-length training as an active control group is warranted, but that a few modifications to the study protocol will be required.

published proceedings

  • J Atten Disord

altmetric score

  • 5

author list (cited authors)

  • Mawjee, K., Woltering, S., Lai, N., Gotlieb, H., Kronitz, R., & Tannock, R.

citation count

  • 22

complete list of authors

  • Mawjee, Karizma||Woltering, Steven||Lai, Nathan||Gotlieb, Howell||Kronitz, Reena||Tannock, Rosemary

publication date

  • September 2017