Abstract
Introduction: The current study examined if adaptive working memory training (Cogmed QM) has the potential to improve inhibitory control, working memory capacity, and perceptions of memory functioning in a group of patients currently on sick leave due to symptoms of pain, insomnia, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Participants who were referred to a vocational rehabilitation center volunteered to take part in the study.Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either a training condition (N = 25) or a control condition (N = 29). Participants in the training condition received working memory training in addition to the clinical intervention offered as part of the rehabilitation program, while participants in the control condition received treatment as usual i.e., the rehabilitation program only. Inhibitory control was measured by The Stop Signal Task, working memory was assessed by the Spatial Working Memory Test, while perceptions of memory functioning were assessed by The Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised.Results: Participants in the training group showed a significant improvement on the post-tests of inhibitory control when compared with the comparison group (p = 0.025). The groups did not differ on the post-tests of working memory. Both groups reported less memory problems at post-testing, but there was no sizeable difference between the two groups.Conclusions: Results indicate that working memory training does not improve general working memory capacity per se. Nor does it seem to give any added effects in terms of targeting and improving self-perceived memory functioning. Results do, however, provide evidence to suggest that inhibitory control is accessible and susceptible to modification by adaptive working memory training.
Highlights
The current study examined if adaptive working memory training (Cogmed QM) has the potential to improve inhibitory control, working memory capacity, and perceptions of memory functioning in a group of patients currently on sick leave due to symptoms of pain, insomnia, fatigue, depression and anxiety
The current study aimed to examine if adaptive WM training improves objective cognitive functioning by strengthening performance on a test of spatial working memory and a test of inhibitory control
The experimental group consisted of 25 subjects (21 females and 4 males) and the control group consisted of 29 subjects (23 females and 6 males)
Summary
The current study examined if adaptive working memory training (Cogmed QM) has the potential to improve inhibitory control, working memory capacity, and perceptions of memory functioning in a group of patients currently on sick leave due to symptoms of pain, insomnia, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Recent research shows that patients on sick leave report substantial problems with memory and attention (Aasvik et al, 2015). Such self-reported cognitive impairments are typically presented in relation with difficulties in social settings and everyday activities (Stenfors et al, 2013) and have been associated with work-related stress and reduced coping abilities (Broadbent et al, 1982; Folkmann et al, 1986). Sick leave is associated with a heterogeneous series of stress-related symptoms such as pain, fatigue, insomnia, depression and anxiety (Henderson et al, 2005). Despite the impact and frequency of cognitive deficiencies, clinicians have primarily focused on treating the overarching symptoms i.e., the insomnia, the pain, the fatigue and so forth, with less focus given to treating the cognitive impairments
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