Memory Training Group Research Articles

A Study of the Emotional and Cognitive Effects of Long-Term Exposure to Nature Virtual Reality (VR) Videos on Mobile Terminals

Research Highlights: This study examined the emotional and cognitive health benefits of nature in comparison with working memory training. It considered the long-term effects, the application of mobile terminal technology, and routine-based approaches with the aim of integrating nature’s health benefits into people’s daily lives. Background and Objectives: Infectious diseases and aging may limit people’s activities indoors; the recovery effect of nature has been widely recognized, and terminal technology is developing rapidly. In this context, we want to explore the emotional and cognitive effects of viewing nature (VR) videos on mobile devices for a long time. Materials and Methods: The experiment employed a between-subjects design, with participants being randomly assigned to one of four groups: a forest VR video group, a water VR group, a working memory training group, and a control group. The participants watched the video three times a week for 20 min each for four weeks. The number of valid participants for compliance, preference, and willingness was 136, and the number of valid participants for the study of emotional and cognitive effects was 62. Brief Profile of Mood States (BPOMS) scales, running memory accuracy, shifting cost, etc., were used as indicators to reflect emotions and cognition. A repeated measures analysis of variance was performed on these indicators at four groups × two time points (pretest/post-test). Results: ① There were no significant differences in the participants’ adherence, preferences, and willingness to watch different natural videos and perform working memory training. ② Long-term home training (e.g., watching VR nature videos or working memory training) may have had a minimal effect on emotional responses to mobile terminals. However, home training may be more conducive to the stabilization of anger. ③ Watching forest VR videos had a positive effect on the updating function of the brain; watching water VR videos was beneficial for the shifting function and automatic processing speed; and working memory training had a positive effect on the updating and shifting functions. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in adherence, preference, willingness, and effects on emotion and cognition between long-term forest VR video viewing, water VR video viewing, and working memory training on mobile terminals. All three types of home training may be beneficial for the stabilization of emotion (especially anger), and all can have some positive effects on cognition.

Potentially Inadequate Real-Life Speech Levels by Healthcare Professionals during Communication with Older Inpatients.

The aim of this study was to investigate real-life speech levels of health professionals during communication with older inpatients in small group settings. This is a prospective observational study assessing group interactions between geriatric inpatients and health professionals in a geriatric rehabilitation unit of a tertiary university hospital (Bern, Switzerland). We measured speech levels of health professionals during three typical group interactions (discharge planning meeting (n = 21), chair exercise group (n = 5), and memory training group (n = 5)) with older inpatients. Speech levels were measured using the CESVA LF010 (CESVA instruments s.l.u., Barcelona, Spain). A threshold of <60 dBA was defined as a potentially inadequate speech level. Overall, mean talk time of recorded sessions was 23.2 (standard deviation 8.3) minutes. The mean proportion of talk time with potentially inadequate speech levels was 61.6% (sd 32.0%). The mean proportion of talk time with potentially inadequate speech levels was significantly higher in chair exercise groups (95.1% (sd 4.6%)) compared to discharge planning meetings (54.8% (sd 32.5%), p = 0.01) and memory training groups (56.3% (sd 25.4%), p = 0.01). Our data show that real-life speech level differs between various types of group settings and suggest potentially inadequate speech levels by healthcare professionals requiring further study.

Telehealth coaching to improve self-management for secondary prevention after stroke: A randomized controlled trial of Stroke Coach.

Stroke Coach is a lifestyle coaching telehealth program to improve self-management of stroke risk factors. To examine the efficacy of Stroke Coach on lifestyle behavior and risk factor control among community-living stroke survivors within one-year post stroke. Participants were randomized to Stroke Coach or an attention control Memory Training group. Lifestyle behavior was measured using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II. Secondary outcomes included specific behavioral and cardiometabolic risk factors, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), cognitive status, and depressive symptoms. Measurements were taken at baseline, post-intervention (6 months), and retention (12 month). Linear mixed-effects models were used to test the study hypotheses (p < 0.05). All analyses were intention-to-treat. The mean age of the Stroke Coach (n = 64) and Memory Training (n = 62) groups was 67.2 and 69.1 years, respectively. The majority of participants (n = 100) had mild stroke (modified Rankin Scale = 1 or 2), were active, with controlled blood pressure (mean = 129/79 mmHg) at baseline. At post-intervention, there were no significant differences in lifestyle (b = -2.87; 95%CI - 8.03 to 2.29; p = 0.28). Glucose control, as measured by HbA1c (b = 0.17; 95%CI 0.17 to 0.32; p = 0.03), and HRQoL, measured using SF-36 Physical Component Summary (b = -3.05; 95%CI -5.88 to -0.21; p = 0.04), were significantly improved in Stroke Coach compared to Memory Training, and the improvements were maintained at retention. Stroke Coach did not improve lifestyle behavior; however, there were improvements to HbA1c and HRQoL among community-living stroke survivors with mild stroke-related disability. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02207023).

Alleviated Anxiety Boosts Memory Training Gain in Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaints: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Older adults with subjective memory complaints (SMC) have a higher risk of dementia and commonly demonstrate symptoms of depression and anxiety. The study aimed to examine the effect of a memory training program for individuals with SMC, and whether additional group counseling aimed at alleviating depression and anxiety would boost memory training gains. A three-armed, double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Community-dwelling older adults with SMC, age ≥60. Participants (n=124) were randomly assigned to memory training (MT), group counseling (GC), or GC+MT intervention. The GT+MT group received 3 sessions of group counseling followed by a 4-week memory training, while the MT group attended reading and memory training, and the GC group received group counseling and health lectures. Cognitive function and symptoms of depression and anxiety were assessed at baseline, mid-, and post-intervention. After group counseling, the GC+MT and GC groups showed reduced symptoms of anxiety compared to the MT group. Memory training enhanced associative learning in both MT and GC+MT groups compare with the GC group, but the GC+MT group demonstrated a larger memory improvement (Cohen's d=0.57) than the MT group (Cohen's d=0.44). Group counseling decreased symptoms of anxiety, memory training increased associative learning, and the combination of two intervention induced larger memory gain than memory training alone. The results suggest that it may need to integrate treatment for anxiety into memory training for older adults with SMC to achieve better intervention effect. ChiCTR-IOR-15006165 in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry.

Working Memory Training Effects on White Matter Integrity in Young and Older Adults.

ObjectivesWorking memory is essential for daily life skills like reading comprehension, reasoning, and problem-solving. Healthy aging of the brain goes along with working memory decline that can affect older people’s independence in everyday life. Interventions in the form of cognitive training are a promising tool for delaying age-related working memory decline, yet the underlying structural plasticity of white matter is hardly studied.MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal diffusion tensor imaging study to investigate the effects of an intensive four-week adaptive working memory training on white matter integrity quantified by global and tract-wise mean diffusivity. We compared diffusivity measures of fiber tracts that are associated with working memory of 32 young and 20 older participants that were randomly assigned to a working memory training group or an active control group.ResultsThe behavioral analysis showed an increase in working memory performance after the four-week adaptive working memory training. The neuroanatomical analysis revealed a decrease in mean diffusivity in the working memory training group after the training intervention in the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus for the older adults. There was also a decrease in mean diffusivity in the working memory training group in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus for the older and young participants after the intervention.ConclusionThis study shows that older people can benefit from working memory training by improving their working memory performance that is also reflected in terms of improved white matter integrity in the superior longitudinal fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus, where the first is an essential component of the frontoparietal network known to be essential in working memory.

Object-Location Memory Training in Older Adults Leads to Greater Deactivation of the Dorsal Default Mode Network

Substantial evidence indicates that cognitive training can be efficacious for older adults, but findings regarding training-related brain plasticity have been mixed and vary depending on the imaging modality. Recent years have seen a growth in recognition of the importance of large-scale brain networks on cognition. In particular, task-induced deactivation within the default mode network (DMN) is thought to facilitate externally directed cognition, while aging-related decrements in this neural process are related to reduced cognitive performance. It is not yet clear whether task-induced deactivation within the DMN can be enhanced by cognitive training in the elderly. We previously reported durable cognitive improvements in a sample of healthy older adults (age range = 60–75) who completed 6 weeks of process-based object-location memory training (N = 36) compared to an active control training group (N = 31). The primary aim of the current study is to evaluate whether these cognitive gains are accompanied by training-related changes in task-related DMN deactivation. Given the evidence for heterogeneity of the DMN, we examine task-related activation/deactivation within two separate DMN branches, a ventral branch related to episodic memory and a dorsal branch more closely resembling the canonical DMN. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) while performing an untrained object-location memory task at four time points before, during, and after the training period. Task-induced (de)activation values were extracted for the ventral and dorsal DMN branches at each time point. Relative to visual fixation baseline: (i) the dorsal DMN was deactivated during the scanner task, while the ventral DMN was activated; (ii) the object-location memory training group exhibited an increase in dorsal DMN deactivation relative to the active control group over the course of training and follow-up; (iii) changes in dorsal DMN deactivation did not correlate with task improvement. These results indicate a training-related enhancement of task-induced deactivation of the dorsal DMN, although the specificity of this improvement to the cognitive task performed in the scanner is not clear.

The Effect of Memory Training on Memory Control Beliefs in Older Adults with Subjective Memory Complaints

ABSTRACT Objective: To study whether memory control beliefs predict response to memory training, or change as a result of participating in memory training. Methods: Eighty community based participants with subjective memory complaints Community-based study at UCLA were randomized to one of three conditions: Memory Training, the program consisted of weekly 120-minute classes featuring instruction in three specific strategies: Method of Loci; Chunking Technique; and Face-Name Association, Health Education or Wait-List over seven weeks. All participants underwent pre- and 1-week post-intervention follow-up memory testing for recalling word lists (in serial order and any order) and face-name pairs. Memory control beliefs were assessed at baseline and follow-up using the Memory Controllability Inventory, which consists of four subscales; Present Ability; Potential Improvement; Effort Utility; and Inevitable Decrement. Results: Sixty-three participants (mean age [SD] 68.3 [6.7] years) were included in the analysis. ANCOVA revealed significant group differences in the Present Ability subscale, F2,58 = 4.93, p =.01. Participants in the Memory Training group significantly improved on the Present Ability subscale compared to the Health Education group (mean difference =.96, SE =.31, p =.003, effect size = 0.93). From regression analyses, baseline Memory Controllability Inventory subscales did not significantly predict memory performance after memory training. Conclusions: Baseline memory control beliefs did not predict memory performance following the intervention, but participating in memory training enhanced memory control beliefs about current memory function. These results suggest that participating in memory training can enhance confidence in one’s memory ability.

EFFECT OF STIGMA ON OUTCOMES OF A MEMORY TRAINING INTERVENTION

Cultural stereotypes equated with aging that emphasize decreasing competence and increasing forgetfulness can be threatening to older adults. Even brief exposure via entertainment media or the patronizing behavior of others may induce stigma in elders and thereby impair memory and executive functions. The sample was recruited for an RCT known as Senior WISE and conducted in Central Texas. The average age was 75 years and average of 14 years of education. Sex and minority status were consistent across groups. Data were analyzed using SPSS, v21. First, Pearson Rs were calculated between stigma (MIA Anxiety subscale) and memory outcomes at baseline. Stigma related significantly to Rivermead (RBMT), HVLT, and Memory Self-Efficacy (MSQ). Then, after controlling for the effects of trait anxiety, stigma explained a significant portion of the variance within scores on the RBMT (β = -.139, R2 MIA Change = .016, p = .037), HVLT (β = -.145 R2 Change = .017, p =.032), and MSQ-35 (β = -.253, R2 Change = .053, p < .001). Change in stigma was significantly associated with change in HVLT scores among those in the memory training group, r(105) = -.228, p = .018. Reductions in stigma were related to increases in HVLT score, β = -.14, F(1, 201) = 3.021, p = .084, R2 Change = .015; however, the overall regression model was not a good predictor of HVLT change, F(4, 201) = 1.793, p = .132, R2 = .034. Stigma is a high priority area of scientific inquiry and a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Decision-Making Deficits in Elderly Can Be Alleviated by Attention Training.

Decision-making is an important everyday function that deteriorates during normal aging. Here, we asked whether value-based decision-making can be improved in the elderly by cognitive training. We compared the effects of two training regimens on the performance in the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT), a real-life decision-making simulation task. Elderly participants (age 62–75 years) were randomized into three matched groups. The filter training (FT) group performed a selective attention task and the memory training (MT) group performed a memory storage task on five consecutive days. The control group (CG) did not perform another task besides the IGT. Only the FT group showed an improvement in IGT performance over the five days—the overall gain rose and the prominent deck B phenomenon decreased. The latter refers to the selection of cards associated with high gains and rare losses, which are nevertheless a disadvantageous choice as the frequent losses lead to a negative net outcome. As the deck B phenomenon has been associated with impaired cognitive abilities in aging, the positive effect of FT here is of special importance. In sum, attention training seems superior in improving decision-making in the elderly.

Self-Perceived Benefits of Cognitive Training in Healthy Older Adults.

The idea that individualized, computer-based cognitive training improves cognitive functioning in non-trained domains is highly contested. An understudied area is whether cognitive training improves one’s own perception of cognitive and day-to-day functioning. Furthermore, no studies have compared working memory training to programs that train higher-level processes themselves, namely logic and planning, in improving perception of cognitive abilities. We investigated self-reported changes in: (a) cognitive errors relevant to daily life; (b) expectations regarding training; and (c) impact of training on daily life, in healthy older adults who completed working memory training or logic and planning training. Ninety-seven healthy older adults completed 8-weeks of computerized cognitive training that targeted either working memory or logic and planning. Findings were compared to a no-training control group. Participants reported fewer cognitive failures relevant to daily life after training compared to the no-training control group, with a greater reduction in errors reported by the logic and planning training group compared to the working memory training group. Trainees’ perception of training efficacy decreased over time. Nonetheless, approximately half of the participants in both training groups endorsed “some improvement” or more in self-perceived day-to-day functioning at post-testing. These results support the conclusion that individualized computerized cognitive training may enhance subjective perceptions of change and that higher level cognitive training may confer additional benefits. Findings suggest that cognitive training can enhance cognitive self-efficacy in healthy seniors.

Working Memory Training Improves Dual-Task Performance on Motor Tasks

ABSTRACTThe authors investigated whether working memory training improves motor-motor dual-task performance consisted of upper and lower limb tasks. The upper limb task was a simple reaction task and the lower limb task was an isometric knee extension task. 45 participants (age = 21.8 ± 1.6 years) were classified into a working memory training group (WM-TRG), dual-task training group, or control group. The training duration was 2 weeks (15 min, 4 times/week). Our results indicated that working memory capacity increased significantly only in the WM-TRG. Dual-task performance improved in the WM-TRG and dual-task training group. Our study provides the novel insight that working memory training improves dual-task performance without specific training on the target motor task.

Combined Cognitive Training vs. Memory Strategy Training in Healthy Older Adults.

As mnemonic utilization deficit in older adults associates with age-related decline in executive function, we hypothesized that memory strategy training combined with executive function training might induce larger training effect in memory and broader training effects in non-memory outcomes than pure memory training. The present study compared the effects of combined cognitive training (executive function training plus memory strategy training) to pure memory strategy training. Forty healthy older adults were randomly assigned to a combined cognitive training group or a memory strategy training group. A control group receiving no training was also included. Combined cognitive training group received 16 sessions of training (eight sessions of executive function training followed by eight sessions of memory strategy training). Memory training group received 16 sessions of memory strategy training. The results partly supported our hypothesis in that indeed improved performance on executive function was only found in combined training group, whereas memory performance increased less in combined training compared to memory strategy group. Results suggest that combined cognitive training may be less efficient than pure memory training in memory outcomes, though the influences from insufficient training time and less closeness between trained executive function and working memory could not be excluded; however it has broader training effects in non-memory outcomes. Clinical Trial Registration: www.chictr.org.cn, identifier ChiCTR-OON-16007793.

Effect of Cognitive Training on Efficiency of Executive Control Network of Attention

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cognitive training by working memory tasks on executive control network efficiency and accuracy of response. Materials and Methods: The design of the study was semi-experimental with pretest and posttest. A total of 20 girl students participated in study. Cognitive group (n = 10) received visuospatial working memory training and control group (n = 10) have did usual training of table tennis without cognitive factor in two task. Participants performed attention networks test and accuracy response in pre and post of 8 sessions of training. Data were analyzed by means of statistical methods of repeated measures ANOVA and SPSS software in the significant level of 0.05. Results: Results of repeated measures ANOVA showed significant differences between two group in each factor (executive control network efficiency and accuracy of response). Cognitive training group showed improvement in executive control network efficiency while control group didn’t showed. Response of accuracy was improved in both group but cognitive training group showed more improvement rather than control. Conclusion: Based on study results, it seems that cognitive training has positive effect on neural network efficiency and response accuracy and this issue indicates increased effect of intra network communication and the flexibility of the brain toward repeating and practicing. And, this issue shows the effect of increasing the intra-network communications and the flexibility of the brain toward repeating and practicing. Therefore, it might be said that cognitive training has more positive effects on performance and cognitive abilities due to the involvement of more cognitive capabilities such as memory, attention, perception and also more involvement of brain networks and facilitate of synaptic connection.

Transfer after Working Memory Updating Training.

During the past decade, working memory training has attracted much interest. However, the training outcomes have varied between studies and methodological problems have hampered the interpretation of results. The current study examined transfer after working memory updating training by employing an extensive battery of pre-post cognitive measures with a focus on near transfer. Thirty-one healthy Finnish young adults were randomized into either a working memory training group or an active control group. The working memory training group practiced with three working memory tasks, while the control group trained with three commercial computer games with a low working memory load. The participants trained thrice a week for five weeks, with one training session lasting about 45 minutes. Compared to the control group, the working memory training group showed strongest transfer to an n-back task, followed by working memory updating, which in turn was followed by active working memory capacity. Our results support the view that working memory training produces near transfer effects, and that the degree of transfer depends on the cognitive overlap between the training and transfer measures.

Cognitive gains from gist reasoning training in adolescents with chronic-stage traumatic brain injury.

Adolescents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically demonstrate good recovery of previously acquired skills. However, higher-order and later emergent cognitive functions are often impaired and linked to poor outcomes in academic and social/behavioral domains. Few control trials exist that test cognitive treatment effectiveness at chronic recovery stages. The current pilot study compared the effects of two forms of cognitive training, gist reasoning (top-down) versus rote memory learning (bottom-up), on ability to abstract meanings, recall facts, and utilize core executive functions (i.e., working memory, inhibition) in 20 adolescents (ages 12–20) who were 6 months or longer post-TBI. Participants completed eight 45-min sessions over 1 month. After training, the gist reasoning group (n = 10) exhibited significant improvement in ability to abstract meanings and increased fact recall. This group also showed significant generalizations to untrained executive functions of working memory and inhibition. The memory training group (n = 10) failed to show significant gains in ability to abstract meaning or on other untrained specialized executive functions, although improved fact recall approached significance. These preliminary results suggest that relatively short-term training (6 h) utilizing a top-down reasoning approach is more effective than a bottom-up rote learning approach in achieving gains in higher-order cognitive abilities in adolescents at chronic stages of TBI. These findings need to be replicated in a larger study; nonetheless, the preliminary data suggest that traditional cognitive intervention schedules need to extend to later-stage training opportunities. Chronic-stage, higher-order cognitive trainings may serve to elevate levels of cognitive performance in adolescents with TBI.

Effect of memory training using the "method of loci" before operation on early postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing laparotomy under general anesthesia

Objective To evaluate the effect of memory training using the method of loci before operation on the early postoperative cognitive function in the elderly patients undergoing laparotomy under general anesthesia.Methods Ninety-six ASA physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients of both sexes,aged ≥60 yr,with body mass index 16-31 kg/m2,scheduled for elective laparotomy under general anesthesia,were randomly divided into 2 groups using a random number table:control group (group C,n =49) and memory training group (group T,n =47).The patients in T group received the memory training using the method of loci once a day (about 30-40 min for each time) starting from 3 days before operation until 1 day before operation.Neuropsychological tests were performed before training and on 7 days after operation.The development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) was recorded.The patients were divided into POCD group and non-POCD group depending on whether or not POCD occurred.The risk factors of which P values were less than 0.05 between POCD group and non-POCD group would enter the logistic regression analysis to stratify POCD-related risk factors.Results The incidence of POCD was 36％ (16 cases) and 16％ (7 cases) in C and T groups,respectively.The incidence of POCD was significantly lower in group T than in group C.Compared with non-POCD group,the age was significantly older and the ratio of patients who received memory training before operation was decreased in POCD group.Logistic regression analysis showed that old age and no preoperative memory training were risk factors for POCD.Conclusion Memory training using the method of loci before operation can improve the early postoperative cognitive function in the elderly patients undergoing laparotomy under general anesthesia. Key words: Location directories and signs; Language therapy; Cognition disorders; Postoperative complications; Aged

Anodal tDCS during face-name associations memory training in Alzheimer's patients

Objective: Given the limited effectiveness of pharmacological treatments, non-pharmacological interventions to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) have gained attention in recent years. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of anodal tDCS (AtDCS) combined with memory training on face-name associations in an AD patient sample.Methods: Thirty six AD patients were randomly assigned to one of three study groups: Group 1, AtDCS plus individualized computerized memory training; Group 2, placebo tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training; Group 3, AtDCS plus motor training.Results: A general improvement in performance was observed after 2 weeks of memory training. Both the anodal tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training and the placebo tDCS plus individualized computerized memory training groups had significantly improved performances at 2 weeks compared with the AtDCS plus motor training group.Conclusion: Our findings suggest a beneficial effect of individualized memory rehabilitation in AD patients.

The effect of executive functions training on the rate of executive functions and academic performance of students with learning disability

Objectives: The aim of this research was to investigate the efficacy of executive functions training on working memory and response inhibition in improving executive functions and academic performance of female students with spelling learning disability.Methods: The design of this research was experimental. Therefore, 45 third grade elementary female students with spelling learning disability were selected through multistage random cluster sampling. These students were randomly assigned into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group, each group consisted of 15 students). Experimental group 1, received working memory training and experimental group 2, received response inhibition training. The instruments were NEPSY test, Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children — Revised (WISC-R), Scale for Identifying Students with Spelling Learning Disability (SISSLD), and Spelling Academic Performance Test. Executive functions training were employed on experimental groups. Data was analysed by Mancova analysis.Results: Findings indicated that executive functions training on working memory and response inhibition can improve executive functions and spelling performance of students.Discussion: The findings showed that executive functions training can be used as an intervention method in improvement of executive functions and spelling difficulty in female students with spelling learning disability.

A Pilot Study of Training and Compensation Interventions for Mild Cognitive Impairment

Background: This pilot clinical trial sought to estimate the feasibility and efficacy of two interventions aimed at improving memory performance in geriatric clinic patients with mild cognitive impairment. Methods: Fifteen participants were randomized to either a memory training group or a memory compensation group. Results: Recruitment rates were low, whereas adherence and retention rates were acceptable. The memory training group improved in self-reported memory abilities and satisfaction with memory. The memory compensation group improved on one objective memory test but showed no consistent changes on any other outcomes. Conclusion: Effect size estimates will inform the design of larger clinical trials.

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

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