Cogmed Working Memory Training

1. Cogmed Working Memory Training Tammy L. Stephens, Ph.D. Assessment Consultant/Representative contact: Tammy.stephens@pearson.com

2. Agenda Introduction Overview of Cogmed What is working memory? Training effects Cogmed Working Memory Training – a solution Research Demonstration

3. Cogmed Overview Cogmed Working Memory Training is a program that helps children and adults with attention problems to focus better: improving WM Five days a week for five weeks of computer-based training sessions; supervised by a coach, trained by Cogmed 80% of Cogmed users see improvements – both in research and in clinical evaluations

4. Cogmed Overview The effects are substantial and lasting Backed by peer-review published research Cogmed training works because it is focused, rigorous, and supported Customers are private psychology/psychiatry practices and schools Started in Sweden 2001; in the US since 2006; part of Pearson since 2010

5. Cogmed Working Memory Training A proven intervention

6. What makes Cogmed work?

7. What is Working Memory? • Working memory refers to a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning and reasoning. • (Baddeley, 1992) • Associated with reading (Gathercole & Pickering, 2000) and mathematics (Geary et al., 2004) • 10-15% of all students have working memory deficits (Alloway et al., 2009) • Children with poor working memory make poor academic progress • Of 300 children with poor working memory (Gathercole & Alloway, 2008): • 83% scored poorly on either reading or math tests while • the vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas

8. Signs of Working Memory Constraints • Is easily distracted when doing something not highly interesting • Has trouble waiting his/her turn • Struggles with reading comprehension • Struggles doing math calculations in his/her head • Struggles with getting started • Struggles with completing a task • Difficulties when planning and organizing something with multiple steps • Often seems restless and on the go • Loses belongings frequently

9. The Cogmed method for improving working memory • The Training Programs • Cogmed JM • Cogmed RM • Cogmed QM • Cogmed Coach Training • Coach support • Cogmed Training Web: start trainings and follow training results • Material to support the coach in coaching • Support to coaches (technical and related to coaching)

10. How do you train your working memory with Cogmed? • 5x a wk/5 wks • 30-45 min per session • Training Aide • Mouse/Headphones The difficulty level will automatically adjust based on the performance of the users, so that they will always train on the limits of their working memory capacity

11. Three versions of the software All three versions of the Cogmed software share the same underlying design – the difference is in the user interface

12. The Cogmed Training Web • An online tool for the Cogmed Coach to follow and analyze the trainings Is the usertraining at his/her optimal level? Where did the user miss trials? What time of the day did the training take place? How often is the user taking breaks?

13. Improvements from Cogmed Working Memory Training Double-blind placebo-controlled studies published in peer-reviewed journals, show that Cogmed training improves: • Attention • Impulse control • Mathematics • Following instructions Over a dozen studies published on Cogmed to date, both by the Cogmed founders but also by fully independent research teams. More than 30 ongoing and 40 planned studies.

14. Published studies on Cogmed: Klingberg T, Forssberg H, Westerberg H (2002) Training of Working Memory in Children with ADHD. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 24(6): 781-791. Olesen P, Westerberg H, Klingberg T (2004) Increased prefrontal and parietal brain activity after training of working memory. Nature Neuroscience, 7(1): 75-79. Klingberg T, Fernell E, Olesen P, Johnson M, Gustafsson P, Dahlström K, Gillberg CG, Forssberg H, Westerberg H (2005) Computerized training of working memory in children with ADHD – a randomized, controlled trial. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 44(2): 177-186. Westerberg H, Jacobaeus H, Hirvikoski T, Clevberger P, Ostensson ML, Bartfai A, Klingberg T (2007) Computerized working memory training after stroke - a pilot study. Brain Injury, 21(1): 21-29. Westerberg H, Klingberg T (2007) Changes in cortical activity after training of working memory - a single-subject analysis.Physiology & Behavior, DOI:10.1016/j.physbeh.2007.05.041 Thorell L B, Lindqvist S, Bergman S, Bohlin G, Klingberg T (2009) Training and transfer effects of executive functions in preschool children. Developmental Science, 12(1): 106-113. McNab F, Varrone A, Farde L, Jucaite A, Bystritsky P, Forssberg H, Klingberg T (2009) Changes in cortical dopamine D1 receptor binding associated with cognitive training.Science, 323: 800-802.

15. Holmes J, Gathercole S, Dunning D (2009) Adaptive training leads to sustained enhancement of poor working memory in children.Developmental Science, DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-7687.2009.00848.x Holmes J, Gathercole S, Place M, Dunning D, Hilton K, Elliott J (2009) Working memory deficits can be overcome: Impacts of training and medication on working memory in children with ADHD. Applied Cognitive Psychology, DOI: 10.1002/acp.1589. Mezzacappa E, Buckner J (2010) Working Memory Training for Children with Attention Problems or Hyperactivity: A School-Based Pilot Study. School Mental Health, DOI: 10.1007/s12310-010-9030-9. Lundqvist A, Grundström K, Samuelsson K, Rönnberg J (2010) Computerized training of working memory in a group of patients suffering from acquired brain injury. Brain Injury, 2010;24(10):1173-83. Dahlin K. (2010) Effects of working memory training on reading in children with special needs. Reading and Writing, DOI: 10.1007/s11145-010-9238-y. Beck S, Hanson C, Puffenberger S, Benninger K, Benninger W (2010) A Controlled Trial of Working Memory Training for Children and Adolescents with ADHD. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 2010: 39: 6, 825-836. Løhaugen GC, Antonsen I, Håberg A, Gramstad A. Vik T, Brubakk AM, Skranes J (2010) Computerized Working Memory Training Improves Function in Adolescents Born at Extremely Low Birth Weight.Journal of Pediatrics, PMID: 21130467. Further information about the research behind Cogmed: http://www.cogmed.com/research

16. Children improve math and listening skills with working memory training Forty-seven children screened for working memory deficits were assigned to the Cogmed training or low intensity training conditions. Training took place in two UK schools. The Cogmed group were associated with substantial and sustained gains in working memory, with age-appropriate levels achieved by the majority of children. Mathematical ability also improved significantly 6 months following adaptive training.

17. Summary of research findings WM is key to attention and learning WM can be improved by training, using right tool & protocol: Cogmed WM can be improved at all age levels The improvement can be shown on three levels: fMRI/PET, neuropsychological testing and by rating scales Improved working memory generalizes to behavioral improvement Behavioral improvement is sustained Effects of WM training are specific: WM and its derived functions are improved Training effects are pronounced in populations with a WM constraint, not diagnostically driven

18. What do we hear? - They can concentrate better in class - They have a better flow with the school work - They remember better - They enjoy school more Students say • The student is calmer • The student concentrates more • The student performs better on academic tasks • The student has matured Teachers say • - The child communicates better • - The child takes more initiatives on her/his own • The child self-initiates home work without • nagging or reminders • - The child is more independent Parents say

21. Demonstration

22. Why Cogmed makes sense for a school? • Used with students who struggle due to WM constraints • Cogmed training will improve WM substantially and lastingly • Allows student to absorb information effectively • Results in better math and reading comprehension performance • Acts as a primer for improved learning; building the platform for learning • Use your Pearson neuropsychology and behavioral assessments to identify students that may have working memory and attention weaknesses

23. School Packages • OptionsCost • Starter Package* • 5 User IDs/1 coach • Remote training • One full year $ 980 • Full implementation • 30 User IDs/10 coaches • On-site, full day training • One full year $6000 • *Ability to purchase another starter package after completion of first if desired.

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