A pilot study of combined working memory and inhibition training for children with AD/HD
Abstract
Building on recent favourable outcomes using working memory (WM) training, this study examined the behavioural and physiological effect of concurrent computer-based WM and inhibition training for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD). Using a double-blind active-control design, 29 children with AD/HD completed a 5-week at-home training programme and pre- and post-training sessions which included the assessment of overt behaviour, resting EEG, as well as task performance, skin conductance level and event-related potentials (ERPs) during a Go/Nogo task. Results indicated that after training, children from the high-intensity training condition showed reduced frequency of inattention and hyperactivity symptoms. Although there were trends for improved Go/Nogo performance, increased arousal and specific training effects for the inhibition-related N2 ERP component, they failed to reach standard levels of statistical significance. Both the low- and high-intensity conditions showed resting EEG changes (increased delta, reduced alpha and theta activity) and improved early attention alerting to Go and Nogo stimuli, as indicated by the N1 ERP component, post-training. Despite limitations, this preliminary work indicates the potential for cognitive training that concurrently targets the interrelated processes of WM and inhibition to be used as a treatment for AD/HD.
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We are not aware of any studies investigating the unique effects of inhibition training in children with ADHD.
“Moreover, we are not aware of any studies investigating the unique effects of inhibition training in children with ADHD (for studies of combined WM and inhibition training see [28], [29], [30]).”
None of the existing multiple EF training studies in children with ADHD are placebo-controlled.
“none of these studies are placebo-controlled.”
Evidence for multiple EF training interventions in children with ADHD is limited.
“To date, evidence for multiple EF training interventions is limited. Few studies have investigated the effects of these interventions in children with ADHD [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33]”
Existing multiple EF training studies in children with ADHD generally show promising results (e.g., improvement of ADHD behavior as rated by parents/teachers; increase of neural activity and gray matter volume in ADHD affected brain areas).
“although these studies generally show promising results (e.g., improvement of ADHD behavior as rated by parents and/or a significant other [e.g., the teacher]; an increase of neural activity and gray matter volume in ADHD affected brain areas)”
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“inhibition, planning, set shifting, WM and fluency) (Pennington and Ozonoff 1996), deficits in WM have been repeatedly demonstrated to play an important S.”
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- Authors
- Johnstone, S. J., Roodenrys, S., Phillips, E., Watt, A. J., & Mantz, S.
- Affiliations
- University of Wollongong (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Johnstone, Stuart J.
- Venue
- ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders
- Published
- 2010-01-28
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 31-42
- ISSN
- 1866-6116 (ISSN-L)
- 1866-6647
- OpenAlex
- W2034110333
- Cited by
- 84
- References
- 6
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 3 · 2012: 5
- FWCI
- 2.62
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- www.springer.com/tdm (tdm)
- Locations
- ADHD Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Cognitive Abilities and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Developmental and Educational Neuropsychology
- Keywords
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, working memory training, inhibition training, cognitive training, children, go/no-go task, event-related potentials, resting-state EEG, skin conductance, inattention, hyperactivity, exercise intensity
- MeSH terms
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Child, Electroencephalography, Evoked Potentials, Female, Galvanic Skin Response, Humans, Inhibition, Psychological, Male, Memory, Short-Term, Pilot Projects, Psychomotor Performance, Therapy, Computer-Assisted, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Brain Waves
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