Effects Of A Computerized Working Memory Training Program On Attention, Working Memory, And Academics, In Adolescents With Severe ADHD/LD

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity; Learning Disorders
• Interventions: Other: Cogmed Working Memory Training Program.; Other: Special Education/Individualized Tutoring; Other: Academy of Math

• Registration Number: NCT00930449
• Lead Sponsor: The Hospital for Sick Children

Brief Summary

Our primary aim is to determine whether a computerized working memory (WM) training program will help students with severe learning and attention problems, in terms of improving their WM. Additional aims are to determine whether the WM training will also result in improvements in the students' concentration and school work, and how long any beneficial effects will last (i.e., whether the students will continue to show improvements once the training program has stopped).

Detailed Description

We have established a collaborative partnership between OISE, HSC, OPDS, and JVS to evaluate the effectiveness of a WM training program when conducted in a school setting. To determine whether the WM training program does improve WM, attention, behaviour, and/or academic achievement, we will compare its effects to those expected to result from two other intervention programs that focus on academic skills only: 1) a computerized software program known to improve math skills (Academy of Math®); and 2) extra, individualized tutoring in an area of academic weakness supervised by a trained and experienced staff person. We will assess WM, related cognitive abilities, ADHD symptoms, academic achievement, before and after intervention, and also at 3- and 6-month follow-up to determine whether any improvements are sustained and increased after the training has finished.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2008-11
• Study First Submitted: 2009-06-29
• Study First Submitted QC: 2009-06-29
• Study First Posted: 2009-06-30
• Primary Completion: 2011-01
• Study Completion: 2012-01
• Status Verified: 2015-05
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-05-25
• Last Update Posted: 2015-05-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 120

Inclusion Criteria

• fulltime enrollment at one of the three English-language speaking OPDS schools
• confirmed diagnosis of a specific LD with or without comorbid ADHD
• IQ > 80 (based on WISC-IV)
• English as the primary spoken language

Exclusion Criteria

• uncorrected sensory impairments (vision, hearing)
• severe comorbid mental health disorders requiring medications other than those used for ADHD or intensive treatment
• severe impairments in oral communication, impeding intelligibility of spoken responses

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Cogmed Working Memory Training Program	Cogmed Working Memory Training Program.	-
Special Education/Individualized Tutoring	Special Education/Individualized Tutoring	-
Academy of Math® program	Academy of Math	-

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Automated Working Memory Assessment Listening Recall	15-20 min
CANTAB Spatial Working Memory	15-20 min

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Wide Range Achievement Test 4 Progress Monitoring Version: word reading, spelling, sentence comprehension, math computation	10-15 min
Teacher - Children's Organizational Skills Scale	5 min/student
Teacher - Strengths and Weakness of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-behavior scale (SWAN)	5 min/student

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

The Hospital for Sick Children; 🇨🇦 Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Ontario Provincial and Demonstration Schools; 🇨🇦 Milton, Ontario, Canada