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Version 1.2 – Updated June 2023

Working memory training

Overview

  • Influence: Working memory training
  • Domain: Student Learning Strategies
  • Sub-Domain: Learning strategies
  • Potential to Accelerate Student Achievement: Likely to have positive impact
  • Influence Definition: The capacity to temporarily retain and manipulate information. It is often claimed to consist of four components: the phonological loop; the visuospatial sketchpad; the episodic buffer integrates or ‘binds' and consequently stores information from the phonological loop and visuospatial sketchpad with long-term memory; and then these three storage systems work under the influence of the central executive, which is responsible for retrieving and manipulating information, and directing resources to the storage components.

Evidence

  • Number of meta-analyses: 12
  • Number of studies: 390
  • Number of students: 23,089
  • Number of effects: 2,804
  • Weighted mean effect size: 0.37
  • Robustness index: 4

Meta-Analyses

Meta-Analyses
Journal Title Author First Author's Country Article Name Year Published Variable Number of Studies Number of Students Number of Effects Effect Size
Developmental Psychology Melby-Lervag & Hulme Norway Is working memory training effective? A meta-analytic review 2013 Working memory training 23 0 30 0.35
Psychonomic Bulletin and Review Linck, Osthus, Koeth, & Bunting USA Working memory and second language comprehension and production: A meta-analysis 2014 Working memory training 79 3,707 748 0.41
Educational Research Review Aksayli, Sala, & Gobet UK The cognitive and academic benefits of Cogmed: A meta-analysis.  2019 Working memory on reading & math (Cogmed) 50 3,059 637 0.05
Dissertation McLaughlin USA A meta-analysis on the efficacy of Cogmed working memory training. 2017 Working memory on reading & math (Cogmed) 4 835 4 0.08
Applied Neuropsychology: Child Bharadwaj, Yeatts, & Headley USA Efficacy of cogmed working memory training program in improving working memory in school-age children with and without neurological insults or disorders: A meta-analysis.  2021 Cogmed on achievement & executive functioning 11 0 11 -0.10
Educational Research Review Sala, Aksayli, Tatlidil, Gondo, & Gobet UK The cognitive and academic benefits of Cogmed: A meta-analysis 2019 Working memory via Cogmed 56 3,059 637 0.05
PLOS One Spencer-Smith & Klingberg Sweden Benefits of a working memory training program for inattention in daily life: a systematic review and meta-analysis 2015 Working memory training 8 306 8 0.45
Developmental Psychology Sala & Gobet UK Working Memory Training in Typically Developing Children: A Meta-Analysis of the Available Evidence 2017 Working memory training 25 1,601 104 0.46
Psychonomic Bulletin and Review Sala & Gobet Japan Working memory training in typically developing children: A multilevel meta-analysis. 2019 Working memory training 41 2,375 393 0.13
Dissertation Hyman USA Is Lumosity an Effective Brain Training Program?: A Meta-Analysis of the Existing Research 2017 Working memory (Lumosity) 4 0 4 0.07
Psychonomic Bulletin and Review Daneman & Merikle Canada Working memory and language comprehension: A meta-analysis 1996 Working memory training 77 6,179 150 0.82
Dissertation Rolhelser-Bennett USA Four models of teaching: a meta-analysis of student outcomes 1987 Memory training 12 1,968 78 1.28
TOTAL/AVERAGE 390 23,089 2,804 0.34
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