This study conducted at the University of York compared the impact of stimulant medication treatment vs. Cogmed Working Memory Training on the working memory performance and IQ of children with ADHD. Results indicated that medication treatment improved performance on visuo-spatial WM, but not on verbal short-term memory, visuo-spatial short-term memory, or verbal working memory. In contrast, working memory training led to significant gains on all 4 memory tasks and moved children’s performance into the average range. Follow-up data collected 6 months later indicated that training gains in working memory had persisted.

Peer reviewed research conducted at the University of York by Joni Holmes, PhD, and Susan Gathercole, a leading expert on working memory, shows that children with poor working memory can improve it through training. Additionally the study found that these children experienced significant increases in their ability to listen and retain instructions. Students also showed stronger math skills six months after training.