Effectiveness of Working Memory Training among Subjects Currently on Sick Leave Due to Complex Symptoms

Abstract

Introduction: The current study examined if adaptive working memory training (Cogmed QM) has the potential to improve inhibitory control, working memory capacity, and perceptions of memory functioning in a group of patients currently on sick leave due to symptoms of pain, insomnia, fatigue, depression and anxiety. Participants who were referred to a vocational rehabilitation center volunteered to take part in the study.Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either a training condition (N = 25) or a control condition (N = 29). Participants in the training condition received working memory training in addition to the clinical intervention offered as part of the rehabilitation program, while participants in the control condition received treatment as usual i.e., the rehabilitation program only. Inhibitory control was measured by The Stop Signal Task, working memory was assessed by the Spatial Working Memory Test, while perceptions of memory functioning were assessed by The Everyday Memory Questionnaire-Revised.Results: Participants in the training group showed a significant improvement on the post-tests of inhibitory control when compared with the comparison group (p = 0.025). The groups did not differ on the post-tests of working memory. Both groups reported less memory problems at post-testing, but there was no sizeable difference between the two groups.Conclusions: Results indicate that working memory training does not improve general working memory capacity per se. Nor does it seem to give any added effects in terms of targeting and improving self-perceived memory functioning. Results do, however, provide evidence to suggest that inhibitory control is accessible and susceptible to modification by adaptive working memory training.

Occupational Rehabilitation Is Associated With Improvements in Cognitive Functioning

“…Although the patient groups in the above studies share overlapping work and health characteristics with the patients in the present study, it is challenging to interpret these results because the RTW or healthcare interventions do not seem comparable. However, in a comparable setting, individuals going through occupational rehabilitation and receiving working memory training have been found to improve more in inhibiting prepotent responses, but not spatial working memory, compared to individuals receiving treatment as usual (Aasvik et al, 2017). This may indicate that adding an extra intervention focusing on cognitive training may improve certain functions more than others.…”

“…The finding that improvements in focused attention were associated with a reduction in SHC related to pseudoneurological complaints indicate that attentional mechanisms were influenced by several factors. Moreover, the application of various forms of cognitive training in chronic pain (Baker et al, 2018), depression (Jonassen et al, 2019) and on patients in occupational rehabilitation (Aasvik et al, 2017) has shown promising effects on cognitive functioning and clinical symptoms. The treatment components in occupational rehabilitation do influence cognitive functioning as shown in the present study, making it relevant to assess possible improvements in cognitive functioning.…”

“…Understanding how occupational rehabilitation affects cognitive functioning, work ability and health related factors is important because it can be assumed that improvements in these measures contribute positively to return to work (RTW) (Eskildsen et al, 2016; Johansen et al, 2016). However, the investigation of changes in cognitive functioning during occupational rehabilitation has so far been an understudied topic relying only on preliminary evidence (Johansen et al, 2016; Aasvik et al, 2017). This is a highly relevant topic because anxiety, depression and pain are associated with impairments in cognitive functioning (Yiend, 2010; Landrø et al, 2013; Snyder et al, 2015) and because maintaining good cognitive processing is an important premise for adaptive emotion regulation (Ochsner and Gross, 2005).…”

“…Following previous studies reporting on changes in cognitive functioning (Eskildsen et al, 2015, 2016; Johansen et al, 2016; Aasvik et al, 2017), it was important in the current study to analyse a broad spectrum of functions such as attention, memory, executive function and emotion using validated and computerized cognitive and emotional tests. In addition, the recognition of facial expressions was measured as cognitive and emotional processing is strongly related (Yiend, 2010; Pessoa, 2013).…”

Investigating the mediating effect of working memory on intentional forgetting in dysphoria

“…Furthermore, Borella, Carretti, Riboldu & De Beni ( 2010 ) demonstrated that working memory training led to improvements in inhibition in older adults (65–75 years). Notably, Aasvik et al ( 2017 ) reported that WM training improved inhibition in a group of participants who were on sick leave due to complex issues (including depression and anxiety). These findings are consistent with neuroimaging evidence that working memory and inhibitory tasks both activate the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, which might reflect the neural basis for transfer between working memory and inhibition (McNab et al, 2008 ).…”