A Review of Working Memory Training in the Management of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders among children. Working memory deficits underlie many of the behavioural symptoms of ADHD. Alongside psychostimulant medications, strategies to improve working memory may play an important adjuvant role in the management of ADHD. In this study, we review the role of working memory deficits in ADHD, the evidence surrounding working memory training strategies in the management of the condition, and the factors affecting the success of these strategies in alleviating ADHD symptoms. More specifically, we review several non-pharmacological interventions that target working memory deficits in ADHD, with special emphasis on cognitive working memory training. We conclude that the development of evidence-based interventions such as computerised cognitive training (CCT) could provide an alternative or adjunct to the use of psychostimulants, especially in cases where side effects are a major issue.

The Contribution of Cognitive Factors to Compulsive Buying Behaviour: Insights from Shopping Habit Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…These results are consistent with neuropsychological theories that emphasize how prefrontal processes act with the intent to keep in mind goals and planned activities in working memory while inhibiting inappropriate influences from subcortical processes [ 78 , 79 ]. Our data are also in agreement with recent research on the relationship between inhibitory control and working memory [ 80 , 81 ]. Thus, when inhibitory control is impaired (the executive system of working memory), inappropriate affective and cognitive responses to environmental shopping stimuli will drive decision making and behavioural processes [ 17 ].…”

“…Therefore, to support the decision-making process, future studies should consider the development of working memory training aimed at improving the ability to manage and control items to be processed in solving problems or making decisions. This approach has previously been found useful for other problems, such as gambling addiction and ADHD [ 81 ].…”

Does IQ Influence Association Between Working Memory and ADHD Symptoms in Young Adults?

“…In addition, working memory test performance can prevent misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis of ADHD in the highly intelligent population. Second, the current clinical intervention for impaired working memory in ADHD is still in its infancy (Al-Saad et al, 2021). Our study raises the question of whether these interventions on WM could decrease hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in low- and average-IQ individuals.…”

Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatric Disorders: State of the Evidence, Future Perspectives, and Some Bold Ideas

“…There is evidence that multidomain cognitive training might be superior to single-domain cognitive training [ 69 , 70 , 71 ], as people with ADHD exhibit deficits in multiple cognitive domains, which are related to different brain regions, and transfer measures, such as academic achievement, might be the result of a composite influence of different cognitive domains. Newer approaches use combined working memory tasks with inhibitory control components, such as the n-back task, and some studies have proven effects on cognitive and symptom outcomes [ 68 , 72 , 73 , 74 ].…”