Effects Of A Computerized Working Memory Training Program On Attention, Working Memory, And Academics, In Adolescents With Severe ADHD/LD
Recruitment status was Not yet recruiting
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Purpose
Our primary aim is to determine whether a computerized working memory (WM) training program will help students with severe learning and attention problems, in terms of improving their WM. Additional aims are to determine whether the WM training will also result in improvements in the students' concentration and school work, and how long any beneficial effects will last (i.e., whether the students will continue to show improvements once the training program has stopped).
| Condition | Intervention |
|---|---|
|
Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity Learning Disorders |
Other: Cogmed Working Memory Training Program. Other: Academy of Math Other: Special Education/Individualized Tutoring |
| Study Type: | Interventional |
| Study Design: | Allocation: Randomized Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment Masking: Open Label Primary Purpose: Treatment |
| Official Title: | Effects Of A Computerized Working Memory Training Program On Attention, Working Memory, And Academics, In Adolescents With Severe ADHD/LD |
- CANTAB Spatial Working Memory [ Time Frame: 15-20 min ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Automated Working Memory Assessment Listening Recall [ Time Frame: 15-20 min ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Teacher - Strengths and Weakness of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-behavior scale (SWAN) [ Time Frame: 5 min/student ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Teacher - Children's Organizational Skills Scale [ Time Frame: 5 min/student ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
- Wide Range Achievement Test 4 Progress Monitoring Version: word reading, spelling, sentence comprehension, math computation [ Time Frame: 10-15 min ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
| Estimated Enrollment: | 120 |
| Study Start Date: | November 2008 |
| Estimated Study Completion Date: | January 2012 |
| Estimated Primary Completion Date: | January 2011 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure) |
| Arms | Assigned Interventions |
|---|---|
| Experimental: Cogmed Working Memory Training Program |
Other: Cogmed Working Memory Training Program.
This program includes a set of visual-spatial and auditory-verbal WM tasks presented via the computer (see Appendix 1 for a description of these tasks). All tasks involve: a) maintenance of simultaneous mental representations of multiple stimuli; b) unique sequencing of stimulus order in each trial; and c) progressive adaptation of difficulty level as a function of individual performance. Training will require about 30 minutes per day, 5 days per week, for 5-6 weeks: participants are required to complete 90 WM trials on each training day. Training plans are individualized and are modified according to performance, but the typical plan includes 13 tasks, with 15 trials of 8 tasks each day. |
| Active Comparator: Academy of Math® program |
Other: Academy of Math
This is an established evidence-based program designed to help at-risk learners (Grades K-12) develop mathematical proficiency by incorporating a mastery-learning approach to foster conceptual understanding, computational fluency, and strategic competency across 10 mathematical subject areas. Training is will require about 30 minutes, 5 days per week, for the same duration as the WM program (5-6 weeks), with a counselor or teacher acting as the training aide. |
| Active Comparator: Special Education/Individualized Tutoring |
Other: Special Education/Individualized Tutoring
Students in this group will receive an additional 30 minutes daily of individualized supplemental instruction in their area of greatest academic need.
|
Detailed Description:
We have established a collaborative partnership between OISE, HSC, OPDS, and JVS to evaluate the effectiveness of a WM training program when conducted in a school setting. To determine whether the WM training program does improve WM, attention, behaviour, and/or academic achievement, we will compare its effects to those expected to result from two other intervention programs that focus on academic skills only: 1) a computerized software program known to improve math skills (Academy of Math®); and 2) extra, individualized tutoring in an area of academic weakness supervised by a trained and experienced staff person. We will assess WM, related cognitive abilities, ADHD symptoms, academic achievement, before and after intervention, and also at 3- and 6-month follow-up to determine whether any improvements are sustained and increased after the training has finished.
Eligibility| Ages Eligible for Study: | 12 Years to 17 Years |
| Genders Eligible for Study: | Both |
| Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Inclusion Criteria:
- fulltime enrollment at one of the three English-language speaking OPDS schools
- confirmed diagnosis of a specific LD with or without comorbid ADHD
- IQ > 80 (based on WISC-IV)
- English as the primary spoken language
Exclusion Criteria:
- uncorrected sensory impairments (vision, hearing)
- severe comorbid mental health disorders requiring medications other than those used for ADHD or intensive treatment
- severe impairments in oral communication, impeding intelligibility of spoken responses
Contacts and Locations| Contact: Rosemary Tannock, PhD | 416-813-7048 | rosemary.tannock@utoronto.ca |
| Canada, Ontario | |
| Ontario Provincial and Demonstration Schools | Not yet recruiting |
| Milton, Ontario, Canada | |
| Contact: Elizabeth Davies 905-878-2851 beth.davies@ontario.ca | |
| Principal Investigator: Elizabeth Davies | |
| The Hospital for Sick Children | Not yet recruiting |
| Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5G 1X8 | |
| Contact: Rosemary Tannock, PhD 416-813-7048 rosemary.tannock@utoronto.ca | |
| Principal Investigator: Rosemary Tannock, PhD | |
| Sub-Investigator: Peter Chaban | |
| Sub-Investigator: Rhonda Martinussen, PhD | |
| Principal Investigator: | Rosemary Tannock, MD | The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Canada |
More Information
No publications provided
| Responsible Party: | Dr. Rosemary Tannock / Senior Scientist, Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children |
| ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT00930449 History of Changes |
| Other Study ID Numbers: | 1000013779 |
| Study First Received: | June 29, 2009 |
| Last Updated: | June 29, 2009 |
| Health Authority: | Canada: Ethics Review Committee |
Keywords provided by The Hospital for Sick Children:
|
Pediatrics Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Learning Disorder Computerized Working Memory Training Program |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
|
Learning Disorders Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity Hyperkinesis Communication Disorders Neurobehavioral Manifestations Neurologic Manifestations |
Nervous System Diseases Signs and Symptoms Mental Disorders Diagnosed in Childhood Mental Disorders Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Dyskinesias |
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on June 18, 2013