​​Cogmed Working Memory
​
Training
​
 PictureDr. Benninger and Dr. Klingberg in Stockholm
ADDvisor.com is very proud to announce that we are the first psychologists in the United States to offer a new, non-medication based intervention for attention deficits.

Serious attention deficits are a major problem for many children, adolescents and adults.

Working memory is used for controlling attention and deficits in working memory capacity often coincide with attention problems.

Cogmed Working Memory Training improves working memory capacity and helps build concentration. 
It used to be thought that an individual's working memory capacity was fixed.  Current research has shown that the brain is more trainable than that. Everyone can improve his or her working memory through correctly designed and intense training.  For people with serious attention deficits, improved working memory translates into tangible and measurable improvements in daily life.  Documented by over 80 studies published in major scientific journals Cogmed typically improves FOUR major impairments common to individuals with ADHD - 1. Working Memory (ability to hold information in mind for a sufficient period of time to use that information to complete work)  2. Inattention (ability to sustain focus for an extended period of time even when the information is uninteresting)  3. Initiate (ability to get started on work/homework/tasks)  4.  Plan/Organize (ability to use information in the mental workspace to solve verbal and visual problems

This method was developed in collaboration with the brain researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden (where the Noble Prize is awarded!).  The effects of training are scientifically validated and the results are published in peer-reviewed academic journals such as The Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, The Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and The Journal of Child Neuropsychology.  Additional research is being conducted  at the University of Notre Dame, Harvard University, New York University, Stanford University and other respected academic institutions.  To date (2016) over 80 studies have been published in major scientific journals.

Russell, Barkley, Ph.D., one of the world’s foremost authorities on ADHD, in his ADHD Report (February, 2006) indicates the following:
“I had the distinct pleasure of visiting with Drs. Klingberg and Westerberg at their laboratory at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, in September 2005, where I was given an overview of the various and impressive studies they have been conducting in the neuro-imaging of working memory, it's malleability and that of its underlying brain networks as a consequence of the cognitive training and the effects of such training on children with ADHD.”

... Dr. Klingberg and his colleagues are to be congratulated for these...steps, for the care and scientific rigor involved in their research program to date, for their openness to having others replicate their work with their software programs...No new psychological treatments for ADHD have come forth within the past decade or longer and it is exciting to see such efforts at treatment innovation, apart from those that have occurred in the pharmaceutical approach, to the management of this disorder." 

Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) has been successfully used by families, schools and health-care facilities in Sweden since 2001 and in the US since 2006. In 2007, the adult version, Cogmed QM, was introduced and then, in 2008, Cogmed JM, for children under seven became available.

Working memory is a key function necessary for many cognitive tasks.
We use our working memory every day: to remember what we should do next, to solve problems and to pay attention.  Working memory is the ability to keep information in one's mind for a short period of time while using it to carry out a task.

When people have deficits in working memory, it is also often experienced as inattention problems such as having problems focusing on reading a text or memory problems which makes individuals unable to finish an activity according to a plan.

Learning disabilities are also indirectly linked to deficits in working memory.

The deficits in working memory are of central importance in explaining many cognitive and behavioral problems in ADHD (Barkley, 1997; Castellanos, and Tannock, 2002; Rapport et al., 2000; Westerberg et al., 2004).  Westerberg et al. (2004) compared working memory tasks with other tasks, and showed that the working memory tasks were the ones children with ADHD had the most problems with. These cognitive problems can lead to academic and occupational failure.

​
Working memory can be improved.
Recent advances in working memory research led by Torkel Klingberg, M.D., Ph.D. have led to methods for improving working memory.  Training specific sets of working memory tasks using the software program called Cogmed RM gradually improves working memory function.  The results behind this training are very clear.  Significant improvement in visual working memory, verbal working memory, response inhibition, complex reasoning and inattention were achieved after the training period.  In addition, three months after training was completed, 90% of the training benefits for working memory tasks remained.  Parent ratings showed significant improvement of attention, and the Executive Functions of working memory, initiate and plan/organize.  Approximately Eighty Percent of individuals to successfully complete the program demonstrate significant improvement.

TRAINING
The training consists of a specific set of working memory exercises that are performed on the home computer, and where the difficulty level is adjusted according to a specific algorithm.  The individuals complete a fixed number of trials every day, which takes about 25, 35, or 45 minutes, depending on the specific format selected.  This is done for three, four or five days a week, for five to thirteen weeks (depending on the combination of formats selected).  During training, performance results are saved and can be used for later analysis.  Trainees need assistance and encouragement with training to achieve optimal performance so everyone is assisted by a Cogmed qualified coach (via phone appointments) during the course of their training.
 
The exercises can be completed on a desktop, laptop or tablet.  It is compatible with both Apple and Windows devices.  
THE TRAINING PROGRAM
Cogmed Working Memory Training (Cogmed RM) is developed for children and adolescents from the age of six and above.  Programs for children under the age of six (Cogmed JM) and for adults (Cogmed QM) are also available.  The training uses the software program Cogmed RM, QM or JM with support from a Cogmed qualified coach from our office.  The training is done at home, with daily support from a parent or training aide who participates in each training session.  Training can be completed with or without the use of medication.
 
The complete COGMED WORKING MEMORY TRAINING PROGRAM includes:
*please note all of the training can be completed without an office visit – it can be complete via telephone

1.  Interview-The training is preceded by an interview with a parent during which the child's specific difficulties and his or her suitability for the program is assessed.  Most children with attention deficits are likely to benefit from the program.

2.  Startup session-The startup session gets the child and the training aide off to a good start with the training.

3.  Five to Thirteen weeks of training with coaching sessions (depending on the format selected)-The Cogmed coach follows the results of the training over the Internet.  Every week or every other week (depending on the format selected) the coach discusses the results and developments with the parent/training aide in a telephone coaching session.

4.  Wrap-up session-When training has been completed the Cogmed professional completes an evaluation with the child and the parent/training aide and provides a training report.  In the event that the training aide is someone other than one of the parents, a parent will also be included in the wrap-up session.

5.  Follow-up session-Six months after the training there will be a follow-up session to evaluate the potential benefit of booster training. 

6. Extension Training Sessions - Following the completion of the initial wrap-up session, 100 extension training sessions, which are about 15 minutes in length are provided.  These are often recommended to be completed twice per week.  

For additional information about Cogmed Working Memory Training go to: www.Cogmed.com
 
To start training or to learn more about Cogmed Working Memory Training , contact: Dr. William Benninger at 614-888-2343 or email at [email protected] or Dr. Alan Graham at 847-824-1235 or email at [email protected].
 
Important Notice: Cogmed Working Memory Training is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation or a substitute for medication that a physician may have prescribed. Scientific research in respect to Cogmed Working Memory Training has evidenced strong improvement effects. Even so, the effect or result in individual cases and/or for a specific user can never be guaranteed and results may vary.