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

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0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

arbetsminne

ålderAge

Work

ing

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em

ory

The Development of Working Memory in ADHD

Working Memory

5

15

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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: info@pearsonclinical.co.uk

Tel: 0845 630 8888

Thank you!

Q & A