Is Working Memory Training Effective? A Meta-Analytic Review

被引:1176
作者
Melby-Lervag, Monica [1 ]
Hulme, Charles [1 ,2 ]
机构
[1] Univ Oslo, Dept Special Needs Educ, N-0318 Oslo, Norway
[2] UCL, Div Psychol & Language Sci, London WC1N 2PF, England
关键词
working memory training; ADHD; attention; learning disabilities; SHORT-TERM-MEMORY; FLUID INTELLIGENCE; SELECTIVE METAANALYSIS; EXECUTIVE FUNCTION; CHILDREN; CAPACITY; SPAN; ADOLESCENTS; PLASTICITY; ATTENTION;
D O I
10.1037/a0028228
中图分类号
B844 [发展心理学(人类心理学)];
学科分类号
040202 ;
摘要
It has been suggested that working memory training programs are effective both as treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other cognitive disorders in children and as a tool to improve cognitive ability and scholastic attainment in typically developing children and adults. However, effects across studies appear to be variable, and a systematic meta-analytic review was undertaken. To be included in the review, studies had to be randomized controlled trials or quasi-experiments without randomization, have a treatment, and have either a. treated group or an untreated control group. Twenty-three studies with 30 group comparisons met the criteria for inclusion. The studies included involved clinical samples and samples of typically developing children and adults. Meta-analyses indicated that the programs produced reliable short-term improvements in working memory skills. For verbal working memory, these near-transfer effects were not sustained at follow-up, whereas for visuospatial working memory, limited evidence suggested that such effects might be maintained. More importantly, there was no convincing evidence of the generalization of working memory training to other skills (nonverbal and verbal ability, inhibitory processes in attention, word decoding, and arithmetic). The authors conclude that memory training programs appear to produce short-term, specific training effects that do not generalize. Possible limitations of the review (including age differences in the samples and the variety of different clinical conditions included) are noted. However, current findings cast doubt on both the clinical relevance of working memory training programs and their utility as methods of enhancing cognitive functioning in typically developing children and healthy adults.
引用
收藏
页码:270 / 291
页数:22
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