About the Cogmed Working Memory Training
An evidence-based program for improved attention
Cogmed Working Memory Training is a home-based program that is designed to help people sustainably improve attention by training and increasing their working memory capacity. Clinically-proven results demonstrate that after training, users improve their ability to concentrate, control impulsive behavior and better utilize complex reasoning skills.1 In the end, better academic performance can be achieved especially in math and reading.
Cogmed Working Memory Training program is:
- Specifically designed for sustainably improved attention
- Evidence-based
- Clinically proven
- Five weeks long
- Coach-supported
- Conducted at home with phone-based assistance
- Proven to be 80% effective
What is working memory?
We use working memory every day. It is the ability to keep information in your mind for a short time, focus on a task and remember what to do next. With a working memory deficit, it is difficult to stay focused, plan next steps, remember instructions, start and finish activities. Studies show a deficit in working memory often leads to difficulties in reading comprehension and math.2
Signs of working memory deficits
- Problems focusing
- Easily distracted
- Difficulties starting and finishing tasks
- Forgetting instructions
Improved working memory can lead to better academic performance
Most people with an attention problem also have a working memory deficit. That means they don’t have the same working memory capacity as their peers.3,4 Our program, backed by clinical evidence, is proven to train and improve working memory. Post training evaluations show this helps children perform better in school and adults to do better professionally. To put it simply, increasing working memory capacity improves attention and helps improve academic and professional performance.
Key program benefits
- Improved ability to sustain attention
- Improved impulse control
- Better complex reasoning skills
- Better academic performance
Comprehensive, home-based program
Children and adults are motivated and train effectively with our unique coaching method and software. Training takes place at home five days a week for five weeks. An office visit is not necessary. The software automatically increases in difficulty gradually improving the user's abilities. Every participant has a Cogmed Coach at a Cogmed Qualified Practice who leads the training, analyzes results and provides encouragement through weekly phone calls.
8 out of 10 users show measurable improvement.1
Eighty percent of users who complete training show measurable improvement in attention and complex reasoning skills. Parents and teachers also report other benefits in daily life: improved social skills, taking initiative, remembering things and completing tasks like homework assignments more independently. When asked one year after training to report on their experience, 79% of parents whose children had benefited from training reported effects had remained or increased.5
Clinically proven results
Our specific program is scientifically validated by clinical studies published in respected professional journals.
Footnotes
1Klingberg et al, JAACAP, (2005)
2Gathercole et al, Br J Educ Psychol (2000)
3Martinussen et al, JAACAP, (2005)
4Westerberg et al, Child Neuropsychology (2004)
5Data on file, Cogmed (2007)
For full references please click on "Research" and then on "References".
Important notice: Cogmed Working Memory Training is not intended to be a substitute for a health care provider's consultation or a substitute for medication that a doctor may have prescribed. Scientific research with respect to Cogmed Working Memory Training has evidenced strong improvement effects. Even so, the effects or results in individual cases and for a specific user can never be guaranteed and results may vary.
