Effect of working memory training task on visual contrast sensitivity for college students

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence on college students' contrast sensitivity how dual N-back working memory training task based on Gabor, and to provide new training method for improving the contrast sensitivity. Methods 42 college students were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (17 students); a working memory training group (13 students); and a Gabor orientation training group (12 students). The control group received no training, while the working memory training group and the Gabor orientation training group received N-back working memory training and Gabor training, respectively, over three weeks (5 days a week, approx. half an hour per day). The above-mentioned two training methods performed with the same visual stimulus, i.e., the Gabor patch with a fixed spatial frequency and contrast. The contrast sensitivity of the 42 students was measured and recorded using OPTEC6500 before and after training. Results In the working memory training group, a salient gain in contrast sensitivity was observed after the training (before: (1.48±0.26)log, after: (1.87±0.13)log), with a statistically significant difference (t=-6.20, P 0.05) in terms of contrast sensitivity. Conclusion N-back working memory training shows a positive effect on improving contrast sensitivity in Gabor identification training, and can be used as a means to improve contrast sensitivity. Key words: Working memory training; Visual function; Dual N-back; Contrast sensitivity