title: Working Memory Training in ADHD: Controlling for Engagement, Motivation, and Expectancy of Improvement (Pilot Study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a shortened-length session of CogMed Working Memory Training (CWMT) would be a suitable active control group and evaluate study protocol to aid in design refinements for a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-eight post-secondary students diagnosed with ADHD were randomized into 25 sessions of standard (45 min/session) or shortened (15 min/session) CWMT, or into a waitlist control group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in completion rate or training index score between the standard- and shortened-length groups indicating that both groups showed improvement and put forth good effort during training.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary findings suggest that shorter training sessions may induce similar levels of engagement, motivation, and expectancy of improvement in participants. We conclude that a larger scale RCT that utilizes shortened-length training as an active control group is warranted, but that a few modifications to the study protocol will be required.
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Karizma
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mawjee
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|2 Texas A&M University, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woltering
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.affiliation: 3 Jewish Vocational Services Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Howell
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gotlieb
authors.affiliation: 3 Jewish Vocational Services Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Reena
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kronitz
authors.affiliation: 1 University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.|4 Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tannock
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000073220:Wechsler Memory Scale; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ADHD; adults; randomized controlled trial; working memory training