Effect of Cogmed Working Memory Training on Auditory Attention Span of Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Abstract

Background: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and/or impulsiveness. The studies on non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD are rather sparse. In India, usually, ADHD is assessed using rating scales, and not much importance is given on selective attention, that is, auditory and/or visual. Kofler 1 hypothesized a functional relationship between working memory (WM) and inattention. The current research was planned to study the effect of Cogmed Working Memory Training (CWMT) program on various parameters of the auditory attention span of children and adolescents having ADHD. Methods: A total of 30 children were taken for the current study. Parental consent was taken. Auditory attention span of the sample was measured by the Continuous Auditory Test of Attention (CATA). After pre-assessment, the children underwent CWMT program for 5 weeks. Cogmed is a scientifically researched program, which has been recommended to be used for improvement of WM and attention. At the end of the training, the children were reassessed by the abovementioned tool, CATA. t-test was used to analyze the pre-intervention and post- intervention data for auditory inattentiveness, impulsivity, sustained attention, and two age groups. Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze the comparison between male and female gender groups. Results: Results indicate the effectiveness of Cogmed Working Training Program on auditory attention span of children with ADHD. Conclusion: The results need to be validated if the improvement is sustained over a period of time with follow up assessment.