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CogmedDyslexia Action Summer Conference
28th June 2012
Shelley Hughes
Pearson Assessment
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. The Context of Cogmed
3. Cogmed Working Memory Training – a solution
4. Research and Training effects
5. How to access Cogmed
The Context of Cogmed
What is working memory?
Working memory is the ability to keep information in your mind
for a short period of time (seconds)
and
be able to use this information in your thinking
Key feature: It has a limited capacity that varies greatly between individuals
A Model of Working Memory
Phonological Loop
Central Executive
Baddeley & Hitch (1974)
Visuo-spatial Sketchpad
Working memory is key for academic performance
Working memory refers to a brain system that provides temporary storage and manipulation of the information necessary for such complex cognitive tasks as language comprehension, learning and reasoning.(Baddeley, 1992)
Associated with reading (Gathercole & Pickering, 2000) and mathematic (Geary et al., 2004) ability
10-15% of all students have working memory deficits (Alloway et al., 2009)
Children with poor working memory make poor academic progress •Of 300 children with poor working memory (Gathercole & Alloway, 2008):
o 83% scored poorly on either reading or maths teststhe vast majority of these scored poorly in both areas
When do we use working memory?
The Development of Working Memory
0
1
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0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
arbetsminne
ålderAge
Work
ing
m
em
ory
The Development of Working Memory in ADHD
Working Memory
5
15
25
35
45
55
65
75
85
95
7,5 8,5 9,5 10,5 11,5 12,5 13,5 14,5 15,5
Age
Correct
ControlADHD
Westerberg et al. (2004), Visuo-spatial working memory: a sensitive measurement of cognitive deficits in ADHD. Child Neuropsychology 10 (3) 155-61.
Working Memory problems are seen in:
Learning difficulties Genetic disorders
Dyslexia (Pickering) Down syndrome (Jarrold et al 1999)
Reading difficulties (Cain et al 2004)
William syndrome (Jarrold et al 2001)
SLI (Ellis Weismer et al 1999)
Maths difficulties (Geary et al 2004)
Brain Injury
Paediatric (Levin et al 2002)
Behavioural disorders Adult (Park 2001)
ADHD (Martinussen et al 2005)
Heart problems and disease
Hypertension (Raz et al 2003)
Stroke (Robertson et al 2007)
Signs of working memory constraints
Is easily distracted when doing something not highly interesting
Has trouble waiting his/her turn
Struggles with reading comprehension
Struggles doing maths calculations in his/her head
Struggles with getting started
Struggles with completing a task
Difficulties when planning and organising something with multiple
steps
Often seems restless and on the go
Loses belongings frequently
Cogmed Working Memory Training – A Solution
Combines Neuroscience, Game Development and Psychology
Founded in 2001 by brain researchers at the Karolinska Institute
2002 – first research publication2003 – first paying customers in Sweden2006 – First available in the UK2007 – Officially available in the US and worldwide2009 – First UK research publications2010 – Become part of Pearson
Worldwide over 200 practicesOver 30 CountriesIn Sweden around 800 schools
Historical Context
Cogmed Working Memory Training is a program that helps children and adults with attention problems focus better: improving WM
Five days a week for five weeks of computer-based training sessions; supervised by a coach, trained by Cogmed
80% of Cogmed users see improvements – both in research and in clinical evaluations
Backed by peer-review published research
The effects are substantial and lasting
Cogmed training works because it is focused, rigorous, and supported
Cogmed in Brief
The Training Programmes
Cogmed RM
Cogmed QM
Cogmed JM
Cogmed Coach Training
Coach support
Cogmed Training Web: start trainings and follow training
results
Material to support the coach in coaching
Support to coaches (technical and related to coaching)
The Cogmed method for improving working memory
How do you train your working memory with Cogmed?
Intense training
25 training sessions
30-45 min per session
No settings needed
The difficulty level will automatically adjust based on the performance of the users, so that they will always train on the limits of their working memory
capacity
Three versions of the software
All three versions of the Cogmed software share the same underlying design – the difference is in the user interface
An online tool for the Cogmed Coach to follow and analyse trainings
The Cogmed Training Web
Where did the user miss
trials? What time of the day did the training take place? How often is the user taking breaks?
Is the user training at his/her optimal level?
The Programs
Internet based
http://www.training.cogmed.com/
Login: test
Password: test99 or test44
NB: currently not supported on iPads
Research and Training effects
Improvements from Cogmed Working Memory Training
Double-blind placebo-controlled studies published in peer-reviewed journals, show that Cogmed training improves:
Attention
Impulse control
Mathematics
Following instructions
23 studies published on Cogmed to date, both by the Cogmed founders but also by fully independent research
teams. More than 50 ongoing and 40 planned studies.
Summary Of Research Findings
WM is key to attention and learning
WM can be improved by training, using right tool and protocol: Cogmed
WM can be improved by training in all age ranges
Training-related improvement can be shown on three levels of assessment: fMRI/PET, neuropsychological testing and rating scales
Improved WM generalizes to improvements in daily functioning
Improvements in WM and behavioural outcomes are sustained at 6 months post training
Effects of WM training are specific: WM and its derived functions are improved, but there is no across-the-board-improvement
Training effects have substantial real world impact on individuals impaired by their WM capacity
Cogmed Coach Training UK 2012
Research
Cogmed is the most widely used working memory training program in research.
To learn more about the research behind Cogmed: www.cogmed.com/research
References available
Who can benefit? Anyone constrained by their working memory
1. Born with a deficit
2. Acquired a deficit through brain injury or disease
3. Developed a deficit through natural decline caused by age
Experiencing a bottleneck due to WM overload
Why Cogmed makes sense for Children / Adolescents
Used with students who struggle due to WM constraints – will improve working memory substantially and lastingly
Parents and teachers report improvements with behaviour, social skills, taking initiative, remembering instructions
Allows student to absorb information effectively
Results in better maths and reading comprehension performance
Acts as a primer for improved learning; building the platform for learning
Why Cogmed makes sense for Adults
Used with adults who struggle due to WM constraints – will improve working memory substantially and lastingly
Improved professional performance and attentional stamina
Improved focus and resisting distractions
Better able to plan activities and complete tasks
Results in improved ability to follow and contribute to complex discussions
What do we hear?
Students say- They can concentrate better in class - They have a better flow with the school work- They remember better - They enjoy school more
Teachers say- The student is calmer- The student concentrates more- The student performs better on academic tasks- The student has matured
What do we hear?
-I am able to manage my life better-Able to return to work after a period of absence-I am able to manage my time better-I am more comfortable in Social settings
Adults say
Parents say
- The child communicates better - The child takes more initiatives on her/his own- The child self-initiates home work without nagging or reminders- The child is more independent
How to Access Cogmed
Cogmed in the UK
Product Maximum Number of IDs per organisation / account
2012 Price Number of Coaches
Cogmed Small Subscription
20 £400 2
Cogmed Medium Subscription
40 £600 4
Cogmed Large Subscription
60 £800 6
Additional Staff Training
£150
What does your licence include?
Annual subscription (opt out at any point)
Coach training for the number of coaches according to your subscription level
– ½ day at centralised location– Attend any time in subscription year
Access to training web – a unique view of the user’s progress
Coach support
Material to support the coach
Contact
www.pearsonclinical.co.uk/cogmed
Trial access to the programs
Research links
Webinars
Training dates
Cogmed Conference – 9th October 2012
Email: [email protected]
Tel: 0845 630 8888
Thank you!
Q & A