Showing 44 results for Working Memory
Zobair Samimi, Abolfazl Farid, Ramin Habibikaleybar, Javad Mesrabadi,
Volume 7, Issue 2 (11-2019)
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of emotional working memory training and neutral working memory training on improving cognitive functions and decreasing test anxiety symptoms in a group of university students. 60 students with high test anxiety were selected with Spielberger test anxiety inventory. Subjects were divided into three groups: emotional working memory training, neutral working memory training and control. Subjects in the experimental groups received 15 minutes of 45 sessions of emotional and neutral working memory training, while the control group received no intervention. All participants were assessed before and after training using Spielberger test anxiety inventory, Wechsler Digit Span Test, and continuous performance test. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance in SPSS-22. Result showed that the subjects in the emotional working memory and he neutral working memory group had a significant improvement in the symptoms of anxiety, direct and inverse Digit Span Test, omission error, commission error and reaction time compared to the control group. The results also showed that the subjects in the emotional working memory group had higher improvement in Emotionality (emotional component of test anxiety) and presentation error compared to the neutral working memory group. Based on the results of the present study, the use of working memory-based computer training, especially emotional working memory, can be suggested as an effective intervention to reduce test anxiety symptoms and improve working memory and sustained attention.
Neda Nazarboland, Ameneh Tahmasi, Vahid Nejati,
Volume 7, Issue 3 (12-2019)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation, on improving the executive functions of selective attention, inhibitory control and working mwmory in elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. This experimental study was a Single Subject of type A-B, which 6 elderly (4 women and 2 men) with an average age of 62 years old were selected via purposeful convenience sampling and randomly assigned into two groups of control (n=3) and experimental (n=3). The evaluation of selective attention and inhibitory control was done using Stroop, Go/NO Go and N-back tests, and the "ARAM" rehabilitation program was presented in 10 one-hour personal sessions for each experimental group subjective. All subjective in both groups was evaluated 6 times (before, during, just after and 2 months following the intervention) and also control group were evaluated simultaneously without receiving any interventions. Using visual analysis, collected data revealed that the scores of both tests of executive functions in experimental group, were steadily increased all through intervention, while the control group scores’ did not make significant changes. Also, two-month follow-up evaluations showed a stable improvement in executive functions of the experimental group. Therefore, it can be concluded that cognitive rehabilitation based on ARAM program has improved the functions of selective attention, inhibitory control and working memory in elderly with mild cognitive impairment. As there are many documentaries suggesting possibility of leading mild cognitive impairment to more serious cognitive disabilities such as Alzheimer’s disease, such findings can confirm possibility of improving cognitive functions of elderly people with mild cognitive impairment with, with lower therapeutic costs applying the help of technology
Seyed Ehsan Afsharizadeh, Mohammadhossein Abdollahi, Hamidreza Hassan Abadi, Hadi Keramati,
Volume 8, Issue 1 (10-2020)
Abstract
Mathematical reasoning is the ability of inductive and inferential reasoning with mathematical concepts that underlying cognitive variables play an important role in explaining it. The purpose of this study is to model the role of divided attention and working memory in mathematical reasoning with the mediation of mathematical knowledge and fluid intelligence in fourth grade elementary students. This study is non-experimental (descriptive) and a type of correlational study in which data were analyzed by Path Analysis. The statistical population of the research included all male fourth-graders of the primary schools in District 4 of Qom from which 213 students were randomly selected by two-stage cluster sampling. The study used different measures and instruments including the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test-Second Edition (IVA-2 CPT) for measuring different types of attention, the Working Memory Index of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV), the Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT), the knowing questions test and the mathematical reasoning questions test of TIMSS 2015. The findings of the study showed that all path coefficients are significant and appropriate model fit indices were obtained. The results indicate that working memory influenced by divided attention predicts mathematical reasoning with the mediation of mathematical knowledge and fluid intelligence. The research helps to develop in mathematics learning and cognitive rehabilitation of mathematical disorders by identifying the role of important cognitive variables in mathematical reasoning.
Zoha Borhani Dizaji, Seyed Abolghasem Mehrinejad, Mehrangiz Peyvastegar,
Volume 8, Issue 4 (2-2021)
Abstract
| Combining psychoanalysis and neurology feels peculiar at first. The combination that tries to bind concepts of psychoanalysis with neuroscience in order to provide an integrates knowledge for better understanding of human mind. However, interaction between psychoanalysis and neuroscience has come to attention during past three decades. Purpose of this study is to investigate and find correlation between three styles of defense mechanism, Mature, immature and neurotic defense mechanism with executive functions within universities students of Tehran. For this matter a study performs on a sample of 140 students (including 76 women and 64 men) by available sampling. The instruments of this research were The Defense Styles Questionnaire (DSQ40) and four computer base test for executive functions including Continues Performance Test (CPT), Strops, 1-back, Go-No Go. The data was analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple regression method. This study demonstrated significant relation between styles of defense mechanism and executive functions and also forms a model to estimate executive function shares in neurotic and growth defense mechanisms. As a result, the findings suggest that one’s performance on executive functions can affect their style of defense mechanism. |
Fatemeh Tayeby, Najmeh Hamid, Morteza Omidian,
Volume 9, Issue 1 (3-2021)
Abstract
Due to the prevalence of depression and the existence of deficites in the executive functions of depressed people, it seems necessary to study and evaluate various treatment methods in the field of cognitive functions, including working memory. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of Captain Log cognitive rehabilitation software on auditory and spatial working memory of people with depressive symptoms in Ahvaz. The method of this research was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test design and a control group. The population of this study was thirty individuals with depressive symptoms referring to psychology and psychiatric centers in Ahvaz and the web pages of these centers in 2009-2010. Participants were completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and the Wechsler Active Memory Profile Test-Third Edition). Participants were matched based on gender, age, education, socio-economic status, lack of acute physical, psychological diseases and they were randomly allocated into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group recieved cognitive rehabilitation for 10 sessions using Captain Log software, while the control group did not receive any intervention. After the intervention and post-test, the data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) by SPSS-24. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of auditory and spatial working memory (p < .001). The rate of auditory and spatial active memory in the experimental group were significantly increased in comparison with the pre-test scores and the scores of the control group. It can be concluded that Captain Log cognitive rehabilitation software has a significant effect on the auditory and spatial working memory of depressed people (p < .001). Therefore, the Captan Log cognitive rehabilitation software can be used to effectively increase the auditory and spatial working memory of people with depressive symptoms.
Ahmad Borjali, Mohammad Rostami,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (8-2021)
Abstract
Pharmacological treatment of adult with attention deficit with hyperactive disorder (ADHD) has been shown to be successful; however, medication may not normalize executive functions. The present study was assessed the effect of working memory training program on executive functions of adult with ADHD. Sixteen adults with ADHD and 16 healthy adult participated in the study. After a diagnostic and baseline evaluation, 16 adults with ADHD participate in up to 16 sessions of working memory training program and the outcomes are evaluated. Healthy people did not receive any training. Working memory and attention, were examined prior to and following the interventions. Data analysis revealed that the working memory training used in the present study led to significant improvements of various aspects of attention, including focus and sustain attention and capacity of working memory. The findings indicate that working memory training programs can improve working memory performance and have the potential to facilitate attentional functioning in adult with ADHD as well.
Shirin Rezvani, Ali Akbar Sharifi, Hossein Zare,
Volume 9, Issue 2 (8-2021)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation on improving working memory of adolescents with traumatic brain injury. The method of this research was quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test with control and follow-up groups. To conduct this study, 20 adolescents aged 9-18 years with traumatic brain injury referred to medical centers in Sadaf Shahriar (Parandmehr Clinic) were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups of 10 experimental and control. To measure the dependent variable of working memory, Wechsler scale 4 subtests (auditory measurement of working memory) and Benton test (visual-spatial measurement of working memory) were used. The experimental group underwent cognitive rehabilitation intervention (12 sessions of 45 minutes). Analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to analyze the data. The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in pre-test, post-test and follow-up of working memory performance. The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of working memory (auditory and visual-spatial measurements) of the experimental group and the control group in the post-test. In addition, there was no significant difference between post-test scores and follow-up in the experimental group, which showed the effect of cognitive rehabilitative perstability on working memory performance in adolescents with brain injury. Therefore, cognitive rehabilitation has a significant effect on improving working memory performance in patients with brain injury and can be used as an effective and useful method to improve working memory performance in adolescents with brain damage.
Parisa Asadollahi, Mohammad Hosein Salarifar, Laila Talebzadah Shoshtari,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (10-2021)
Abstract
| The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of training metacognitive beliefs and state on working memory of elementary school students. This study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test, post-test, follow-up and a control group design. The population consisted of elementary school students in Birjand. Forty-six students in the sixth grade were recruited via convenience sampling method. The participants were allocated to the experimental group (n = 23) and the control group (n = 23). The metacognitive training package was used to teach metacognitive beliefs and state. Moreover, the computer image recognition test (N-Back) was used to evaluate working memory. Data were analyzed using Mann Whitney U, Friedman and Wilcoxon tests. The findings indicated a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group. Furthermore, the experimental group showed higher levels of mean in working memory scores compared to the control group. The results of the follow-up test suggested the lasting effect of the training. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that training metacognitive beliefs and state might enhances students’ working memory. |
Mohsen Amiri, Jahangir Karami, Khodamorad Momeni,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (10-2021)
Abstract
| Due to the importance of rehabilitation among children with special learning disabilities, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of brain Gym on suppression of theta/alpha ratio and working memory of students aged 8 to 12 years with dyslexia or dysgraphia. This research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The population of this study included all girls and boys with reading or writing disorders referring to special centers for learning disabilities in Kermanshah. The convenience sampling methods were used. For this purpose, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 students aged 8 to 12 years were selected and randomly allocated into two groups of 10 people. The experimental group were received brain Gym intervention for 20 sessions of 20 minutes over 10 weeks. In order to record the brain waves of the participants, a dual-channel neurofeedback device was used. Moreover, the Wechsler memory software was used to measure their active memory. To analyze the data, univariate one-way covariance analysis and multivariate one-way covariance analysis were used using SPSS software version 26. The results showed that the ratio of theta waves to alpha in the experimental group was significantly reduced and active memory span in the experimental group was significantly increased compared to the control group (P < .05). The findings of this study indicated that brain exercise can significantly suppress the ratio of theta waves to alpha and also improve working memory among children with special learning disabilities. The findings confirm the neurological evidence for the positive effect of the brain Gym intervention on the modulation of brain waves and working memory in children with dyslexia or dysgraphia. |
Dr. Somayeh Daneshvar, Prof. Mohammad Reza Taghavi,
Volume 9, Issue 3 (10-2021)
Abstract
Objective: Working memory executive deficits have a role in maintaining Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms including flashbacks and reexperiencing. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to compare the visual and verbal Proactive Interference in trauma-exposed individuals with and without PTSD.
Method: In this retrospective study, we recruited subjects through the purposive sampling method. We compared 30 survivors of road traffic accidents with PTSD with 30 trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD in terms of visual and verbal Proactive Interference. Measuring tools included the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder semi-structured Interview for DSM-V, the Beck Depression Inventory-II and the Recent Probes Task. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS-21 software.
Results: Subjects of the PTSD group reported higher levels of visual and verbal Proactive Interference than the control group. Moreover, patients with PTSD indicated higher deficiencies in visual working memory than verbal working memory.
Conclusion: Patients with PTSD show deficiencies in controlling proactive interference that should be taken into consideration through their treatment procedure.
Sedighe Nasiripoor, Siavosh Talepasand, Isaac Rahimian Boogar,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (1-2022)
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate Children's Working Memory Measurement Model: Testing Theories’ Hich and Baddeley, Baddeley and Cowan. The research design was correlational. The population included all primary school students in Tehran in 1400. Participants were 150 students aged 7 to 10 years who were selected by convenience sampling method. They all responded to the Comprehensive Memory Working Assessment Gray et al. (2017). Data were analyzed by factor analysis. The results of factor analysis showed that the Baddeley four-factor model has a better fit than the Baddeley and Hich three-factor model and Cown three-factor model. Assessing working memory can provide more important information about children's cognitive function than psychological measures.
Vahid Mirzaie, Seyed Mosa Tabatabaee, Shahrokh Makvand Hosseini,
Volume 9, Issue 4 (1-2022)
Abstract
| The aim of this study was to investigate The Effectiveness of Computer-based Cognitive Rehabilitation on Working Memory and Problem Solving of High School Students. Method: For this purpose, 30 high school students in Tehran were selected. These people were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups of 15 people in each group. The number and duration of each session in the experimental group were 16 sessions and each session was 45 minutes, respectively. The control group did not receive any intervention. Research instruments included the Wisconsin Card Classification Test. The data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and SPSS 26 software. Results: The results showed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in both components of class and survival and the effect of computer rehabilitation intervention on the class component was 0.375, which is lower than average. And the volume of the effect of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention on the survival component is equal to 0.546, which is higher than average. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, it can be said that computer-based cognitive rehabilitation intervention is effective on the Working Memory and Problem Solving of high school students. |
Hamid Khanipur, Mobina Radfar, Maedeh Pour Torogh, Masoud Geramipour,
Volume 10, Issue 2 (10-2022)
Abstract
The process Assessment of the Learner-Second Edition: Diagnostic Assessment for Math is one of the most widely used tests in the field of learning disorders, which has two versions: reading, writing, and math. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the educational and cultural adaptation of this test. For this purpose, after the translation of the test, the stages of cultural adaptation were investigated from three sources of elementary school mathematics textbooks, interviews with teachers and test implementation of the test on a group of 14 children from preschool to sixth grade, applicability and Special criteria for the implementation of the test were prepared for Iranian students. There has been an amendment to the content of the Iranian sample test in terms of the items of multi-step problem-solving and part-whole concepts. Also, the criteria for passing the test for Iranian students in the sub-tests of place value, finding the bug, and the ability to perform calculations are placed at a higher age than the main instructions of the test. Geometry and decimal numbers are items that are covered in the Pal_II math test in the form of part_whole concepts. However, it is more detailed and complicated in Iranian math textbooks. Calculation education in Iran's school education system has undergone changes in recent years, which were revised in the test instructions. The similarities between the implementation and grading of the Persian version of the Pal_II math test in the Iranian sample and the original instructions of the English version of the test are more than the differences between them.
Moslem Kord, Jalil Fath Abadi, Shahriar Gharibzadeh, Reza Khosrowabadi,
Volume 10, Issue 3 (3-2023)
Abstract
This study aimed to comparison of the effect of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) and Transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) combined with cognitive training on working memory performance of people with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. For this purpose, 45 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in zahedan city were purposefully selected as the research sample. Subjects were divided into three groups: tDCS, tRNS and placebo group. Subjects in the experimental groups received 5 sessions of electrical stimulation (tDCS and tRNS) with an interval of 24 hours between each session; placebo group also received fake stimulation (non-effective). At the same time, all subjects also received cognitive rehabilitation of working memory. All subjects were evaluated before and after the stimulation and one week after the stimulation using the N-back task and the Wechsler Digit span test. The data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. The results showed that in the tDCS group, there was a significant difference in most working memory components from the pre-test stage to the follow-up (p<0.001). In the tRNS group, a significant difference was found in the component of direct digit span and reverse digit span in the research stages. In the comparison between the two experimental groups, the effectiveness of the tDCS group was higher than that of the tRNS group. Also, no significant difference was found in most of the components between the tRNS and placebo groups (p>0.05). Overall, the results of this study show that tDCS was more effective than tRNS in working memory and this method can be used together with other treatments to improve the working memory of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
- Shayesteh Sajadi, - Mahboubeh Fooladchang, - Farideh Yousefi, Raziyeh Sheykh Alislami,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mindfulness-based education on two structures related to cognition, namely self-blame and working memory in adolescents. The research design was quasi-experimental with a control group. Participants included 30 people (two groups of 15 people) from adolescents aged 14 to 18 years who volunteered to participate in the study. They responded to the Thompson and Containers' Self-Blame Levels (2004), and the Wechsler Active Memory Scale (1945) as pretest and posttest. The experimental group participated in a mindfulness-based stress reduction program for 8 sessions, each session lasting 2 hours and the control group was without intervention. Data were analyzed using analysis of ANCOVA. The results showed that mindfulness intervention had a significant effect on self-blame (P = 0.001) and working memory (P = 0.001) in the experimental group (P <0.05).
In a general conclusion, it can be stated that mindfulness-based education can be used in therapeutic and psychological programs to increase working memory and reduce self-blame in adolescents.
Sima Eivazi, Jahangir Karami, Kamran Yazdanbakhsh,
Volume 10, Issue 4 (3-2023)
Abstract
Dysgraphia is one of the common symptoms of specific learning disorders. children with dysgraphia have several cognitive problems. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of HAMRAH cognitive rehabilitation package on improving executive functions (working memory and response inhibition) in children with dysgraphia. The present research was semi-experimental in the form of pre-test-post-test with a control group. The statistical population of the research was students with dysgraphia who referred to education counseling centers in Kermanshah city in 1401. Among them, 40 people (initially 20 people in the experimental group and 20 people in the control group, but one of the control group was removed by the end of the experiment) who were willing to cooperate and were also available were selected and then randomly divided into experimental and control group. Then, in both groups, the pre-test was implemented, and after that, the experimental group received 12 intervention sessions of the HAMRAH cognitive rehabilitation package, but there was no intervention for the control group. Then, a post-test was performed for both groups. The data were analyzed using covariance. The results showed that the Hamrah cognitive rehabilitation package has an effect on improving working memory and response inhibition in children with dysgraphia (P<0.01). It is suggested that the HAMRAH cognitive rehabilitation package be used in medical centers by mental health specialists, along with other treatment methods, in order to improve working memory and response inhibition for children with dysgraphia
Seyed Mohammad Saeid Sahaf,
Volume 11, Issue 2 (9-2023)
Abstract
According to the existing classifications of Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (RCPM) test, it is shown that RCPM is not a homogeneous test and various cognitive factors are involved in it. Moreover, success in RCPM is influenced by working memory ability. Therefore, the present study aims to compare the three factors of the RCPM test in two groups of students with weak and strong visuospatial working memory (VSWM) and examine their role in each of the existing components.
This research evaluated a sample of 150 female students aged 6 to 10 years. Initially, after obtaining consent from the students, the school, and the parents, each student took the RCPM test. The score for each question was recorded as either correct or incorrect, and the total correct responses for each factor were calculated. Subsequently, the Corsi block span test was conducted to assess VSWM, and the score for each participant was recorded. Based on the scores of Corsi block span test, the participants were divided into two groups with strong and weak VSWM, and each factor was individually examined in these two groups.
The results showed that the differences in two factors of the RCPM test in the two groups with strong and weak VSWM are statistically significant. Reviewing the literature shows that differences in VSWM can explain success in the first (involving similarity) and second (Gestalt principles) factors. However, the examination of the third factor (involving concrete and abstract reasoning) yields contradictory results in previous research. This research is the first study to focus on the difference in VSWM in the triadic factors of the RCPM test. It is recommended that in future research, the relationship between the factors of the RCPM test and other cognitive functions be examined, and the roles of gender and age be considered.
Forough Khalilpour, Fariborz Dartaj, Hassan Asadzadeh, Esmaeil Sadipour, Kamran Sheivandi,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to develop and validate the educational package of cognitive-emotional empowerment and its effectiveness on working memory and emotional recognition of sixth grade female students. The research method is considered to be fundamental and applied in terms of its purpose, and the research is considered to be hybrid-exploratory. The statistical population of the research in the qualitative part included Persian and English specialized books and articles in the field of cognitive-emotional empowerment in the last 20 years, which were selected by the purposeful sampling method of the sample group. Then the components of cognitive-emotional empowerment were extracted and coded with the qualitative method of thematic analysis. Finally, the package of cognitive-emotional empowerment was compiled during twelve sessions and its formal and content validity was confirmed by experts. The research method in the quantitative part was a semi-experimental type with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of this research includes all the female students of the sixth grade of elementary school in 1400-1401 who were studying in schools in Tehran. The sample size includes 30 people from the statistical population selected by available sampling method and they were placed in two control and experimental groups. For the experimental group, the developed program of cognitive-emotional empowerment was implemented, while the control group did not receive training. The research tools included numerical span test (Wechsler, 2003) and facial emotion recognition test (Ekman and Friesen, 2003). The results showed that the cognitive-emotional empowerment intervention had a significant effect on improving working memory and emotional recognition in the post-test and follow-up stages.
Mrs Faezeh Akbarifeizabadi, Dr Reza Kormi Nouri,
Volume 11, Issue 3 (12-2023)
Abstract
Zahra Mohseninasab, Somaye Saket, Masoome Deilami Pooya, Samaneh Basiti, Sahel Jafari,
Volume 12, Issue 1 (6-2024)
Abstract
The purpose of this research was the effectiveness of mindfulness training on executive functions (working memory and attention) and self-efficacy in patients with anxiety disorders. The sample of this research included 30 people from the mentioned community who were selected by available sampling method. 15 people in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group were randomly divided. The research design was semi-experimental with pre-test-post-test with control and experimental groups. The measurement tools included Gioia et al.'s executive function questionnaire (2000) and Scherer's general self-efficacy. To implement, at first, a pre-test was taken from both groups. Then the experimental group underwent mindfulness intervention during 8 sessions of 90 minutes, then a post-test was taken from both groups. Data analysis was done using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCVA) and one-way covariance analysis (ANCVA). The results of the research showed that mindfulness training has a significant effect on executive functions (working memory and attention) and self-efficacy of patients with anxiety disorders.
