Effects Of A Computerized Working Memory Training Program On Attention, Working Memory, And Academics, In Adolescents With Severe ADHD/LD

NCT00930449 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 1000013779
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 120
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 2

Brief Summary

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).

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity; Learning Disorders

Keywords

Pediatrics; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Learning Disorder; Computerized Working Memory Training Program

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• CANTAB Spatial Working Memory

  15-20 min

• Automated Working Memory Assessment Listening Recall

  15-20 min

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Teacher - Strengths and Weakness of ADHD-symptoms and Normal-behavior scale (SWAN)

  5 min/student

• Teacher - Children's Organizational Skills Scale

  5 min/student

• Wide Range Achievement Test 4 Progress Monitoring Version: word reading, spelling, sentence comprehension, math computation

  10-15 min

Study Arms (3)

Cogmed Working Memory Training Program

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Cogmed Working Memory Training Program.

Academy of Math® program

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Academy of Math

Special Education/Individualized Tutoring

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Other: Special Education/Individualized Tutoring

Interventions

Cogmed Working Memory Training Program. OTHER

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.

Cogmed Working Memory Training Program

Academy of Math OTHER

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.

Academy of Math® program

Special Education/Individualized Tutoring OTHER

Students in this group will receive an additional 30 minutes daily of individualized supplemental instruction in their area of greatest academic need.

Special Education/Individualized Tutoring

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 12 Years - 17 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Hospital for Sick Children: lead
• Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario: collaborator

Study Sites (2)

Ontario Provincial and Demonstration Schools

Milton, Ontario, Canada

Location

The Hospital for Sick Children

Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8, Canada

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity; Learning Disabilities

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders; Communication Disorders; Neurobehavioral Manifestations; Neurologic Manifestations; Nervous System Diseases; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Study Officials

• Rosemary Tannock, MD

  The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Canada

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Senior Scientist

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 29, 2009
• First Posted: June 30, 2009
• Study Start: November 1, 2008
• Primary Completion: January 1, 2011
• Study Completion: January 1, 2012
• Last Updated: May 27, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-05

Locations

CA (2)