J Korean Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry.  2017 Apr;28(2):115-122. 10.5765/jkacap.2017.28.2.115.

Augmentative Effects of Working Memory Training on Behavioral Problems and Parental Stress in Medicated Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

• Lee EK
• Kim HS
• Yoo HK

• KMID: 2377220
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5765/jkacap.2017.28.2.115

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Executive dysfunctions including working memory deficit have been suggested to be one of the major neuropsychological etiologies of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the augmentative effects of working memory training on the behavioral problems, quality of life, and parental stress of medicated children with ADHD.
METHODS
Twenty-five children with ADHD, aged 9 to 19 years, who were being treated with ADHD medication, were included. The participants were trained with a commercially available and computerized working memory program (Cogmed®) for 5 weeks without any alteration of their medication. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), KIDSCREEN-52 quality of life measure, and Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) were administered before training, and 4 weeks and 7 months after training, respectively.
RESULTS
After completing the training, the anxiety/depression, social problems, thought problems, attention problems, aggressive behavior, and externalizing problems scores in the CBCL were significantly reduced. The score on the Parent-child dysfunctional interaction in the PSI-SF was also decreased. However, the scores related to the quality of life were not changed. These changes were still observed 7 months after the training.
CONCLUSION
Cogmed working memory training can be a promising training option for the additional improvement of behavioral problems and parental stress in medicated children with ADHD.

Keyword

Working memory training; Cogmed; Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; Behavioral problem; Parental stress

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Checklist
Child Behavior
Child*
Humans
Memory, Short-Term*
Parenting
Parents*
Problem Behavior*
Quality of Life
Social Problems