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The Efficacy of Working Memory Training for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined type compared to Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Primarily Inattentive type

Puffenberger, Synthia Sandoval
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299618303

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Arts, Ohio State University, Psychology.
This study investigated the efficacy of a computer based working memory training program for 51 children and adolescence between the ages of 7 and 17. All participants involved in the study were classified as having ADHD, with either the primarily inattentive or combined type. Parents and teachers provided ratings of executive function and ADHD symptoms of participants before treatment, one month and four months following treatment. Data in this study were analyzed by ADHD subtype to better determine if any differences could be found by subtype population. At post treatment parents rated the DSM Inattentive group as improving on measures of both executive function and ADHD symptoms. Parent reported changes appeared to persist at four month follow up for this group. Teachers also reported change from pre to post treatment for the DSM Inattentive group on the BRIEF Initiate scale. There were no reported significant changes for the DSM combined group by either parent or teacher report from pre to post treatment. Regression analysis using the Conners’ scales of inattention, hyperactivity, and oppositional at pre treatment as predictors for change at post treatment and four month follow up found that by parent report for the DSM Combined group, ratings of hyperactivity and opposition at pre treatment were negatively related to change post treatment. However, according to teacher report, opposition, hyperactivity, and inattention were positively related to reported change post treatment for both the Inattentive and Combined subtypes of ADHD. This data suggest that this training may be beneficial as an adjunct treatment for children with ADHD to focus on executive functioning deficits. This training may be more beneficial for those diagnosed with the Inattentive type of ADHD, possibly due to the detrimental or interfering behaviors of hyperactive and impulsive symptoms found in the Combined type population. However, more research is necessary to determine the validity of the treatment effects found, as well as if these findings are enduring. It is also necessary to determine if these findings go beyond 3rd party report and if they can also be found through objective measures of the participants, (i.e. using the Automated Working Memory Assessment or the Tower of London).
Steven Beck, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Michael Vasey, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Cynthia Gerhardt, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
66 p.
Clinical Psychology
ADHD; Children; Adolescents; Working Memory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Puffenberger, S. S. (2011). The Efficacy of Working Memory Training for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined type compared to Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Primarily Inattentive type [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299618303

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Puffenberger, Synthia. The Efficacy of Working Memory Training for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined type compared to Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Primarily Inattentive type. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299618303.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Puffenberger, Synthia. "The Efficacy of Working Memory Training for Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Combined type compared to Children and Adolescents with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder- Primarily Inattentive type." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1299618303

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.