title: Effectiveness of Working Memory Training among Subjects Currently on Sick Leave Due to Complex Symptoms.
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 capacityper 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Julie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Aasvik
authors.affiliation: Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway; Department of Public Health and General Practice, Norwegian University of Science of TechnologyTrondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woodhouse
authors.affiliation: Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway; Department of Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Tore C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Stiles
authors.affiliation: Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Henrik B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.affiliation: National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University Hospital Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Tormod
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Landmark
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Mari
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glette
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheim, Norway; Hysnes Rehabilitation Center, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway; National Competence Centre for Complex Disorders, St. Olav's University HospitalTrondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Petter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Borchgrevink
authors.affiliation: Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: Nils I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Landrø
keywords: adaptive working memory training; complex symptoms; inhibitory control; self-perceived memory functioning; spatial working memory