Working Memory Training for Adults with ADHD

Amélie Dentz (1, 2) , Marie-Claude Guay (3) , Véronique Parent (4) , Lucia Romo (1, 5, 6)

1 CliPsyD - Clinique, Psychanalyse, Développement
2 UNIFR - Université de Fribourg = University of Fribourg
3 UQAM - Université du Québec à Montréal = University of Québec in Montréal
4 UdeS - Université de Sherbrooke
5 Hôpital Raymond Poincaré (Garches) [GHU AP-HP Université Paris-Saclay]
6 CESP - Centre de recherche en épidémiologie et santé des populations

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the effects of Cogmed training on working memory in adults with ADHD, including the generalization of effects to nonverbal reasoning, executive function in daily life, and ADHD symptoms. Method: Adults of ages 18 to 63 with ADHD were randomly assigned to an experimental group that received the working memory training or to a placebo group that received a low-intensity comparison version of the training. Results: participants in the experimental group showed greater improvement in verbal and visuospatial working memory capacity. Effects persisted 6 months after intervention completion. However, effects did not generalize elsewhere. Conclusion: The results challenge the claims made by Cogmed to the effect that the program is effective in treating attention problems and improving performance in daily life over the long term in adults with ADHD.

Mots clés: ADHD; working memory; cognitive training; treatment; adults

Domaines: Psychologie; Psychologie et comportements; Psychologie

Amélie Dentz, Marie-Claude Guay, Véronique Parent, Lucia Romo. Working Memory Training for Adults with ADHD. Journal of Attention Disorders, 2020, 24 (6), pp.918-927. ⟨10.1177/1087054717723987⟩. ⟨hal-01566613⟩