Cogmed FAQs
What makes Working Memory so important?Working memory is the ability to keep information “on-line” in your mind for brief periods of time. It is central to concentration, problem solving and impulse control.
Working memory is closely correlated to fluid intelligence. It is also fundamental to academic and professional success. Challenges like reading comprehension and math problem solving depend on working memory capacity.
What are the signs of poor Working Memory?
The signs of poor working memory will differ depending on age and the challenges faced.
For a simple-to-use guide, please click here
What is Cogmed Working Memory Training?
Cogmed Working Memory Training is an evidence-based training program for improved attention.
It is a computer-based training normally done at home, using a PC.
The training protocol is 25 sessions of 30-40 minutes each, done over a period of 5 weeks.
It is always provided with the support of a Cogmed coach. It includes an intial interview, a start-up meeting, weekly coach calls, a wrap-up meeting and a six months follow-up. Throughout the training period the user can track his/her progress online, using the Cogmed Training Web tool. After the intense five weeks of training follows the Cogmed Extension Training, an additional 100 sessions over 12 months.
Who should do Cogmed Training?
Cogmed training is for people who need to improve their ability to concentrate.
Cogmed users range from young children to adolescents to adults to senior adults. Some have diagnosed attention deficits, some have suffered a brain injury, others feel the effects of aging. And others find they're not doing as well as they could, academically or professionally, given their intelligence and their efforts.
After consulting the Cogmed practice of their choice, they realize that improving their working memory capacity could give them the boost they need to do better.
What does Cogmed Training cost?
The price is generally between $1,500 and $2,000 for the complete training program, including the five weeks training with the support of a Cogmed Coach and the 12 months of Cogmed Extension Training.
Many Cogmed Practices apply Family Pricing schedules.
The fee for Cogmed Working Memory Training is set by each individual Cogmed Qualified Practice and varies by location.
Where can I buy Cogmed Training?
You get Cogmed training from any of the about 100 Cogmed Qualified Practices across the US and Canada.
They will make sure your profile (or your child’s profile) is good for training, and they will provide you with the software and the coaching needed.
Cogmed works with the practices in this way to make sure that all users get very professional and personal service; and the best possible training results.
All the practices are lead by a psychologist or medical doctor. This is because we are a small company and we are focusing on building as coherent a network as possible, so that we can easily work closely with the practices. Our research comes out of the fields of psychology and neuro-science, even though it is now expanding into special education and speech-and-language research.
For a full list of all the practices, please click here
What are the effects of Cogmed Training?
Better attention, better impulse control and better complex reasoning.
For children, parents and teachers also report improved social skills, taking initiative, remembering instructions and completing assignments independently. The key objective is better academic performance, particularly in math and reading comprehension.
For adults, the effects are being able to stay focused, planning your activities, starting and finishing tasks, following and contributing to complex discussions. The key objective is improved professional performance and attentional stamina.
The best way to learn about the effects is to talk to the Cogmed practice of your choice and hear about the real-life effects the Cogmed practitioner you talk to has observed.
Do I have to go to someone’s office to do Cogmed?
No.
You can do the entire Cogmed training program out of the convenience of your home.
The initial interview, start-up meeting and weekly coach calls can all be done over the phone. Most Cogmed practices offer distance training. That means you can call any Cogmed practice on our list.
If you fail to reach one that will work with you in your location, call Cogmed and we will help you.
Do the effects last?
Yes, the effects do last.
Our research and our clinical experience show that the effects of Cogmed Training last. The reason is that once your working memory has been improved, you will use it more than before. And the use will serve as constant training.
You do not have to take our word for it. Included in the Cogmed Training is the 12 month long Cogmed Extension Training, that allows you to check and train your working memory over 100 sessions. That way you can make sure your gains are maintained, or do more training to increase further.
How is Cogmed different from other kinds of “brain training”?
Three key things make Cogmed stand out:
1. Cogmed Training is backed by solid research no one else can match. Research done using Cogmed’s products and protocols, just like they are being used in practical use.
2. Cogmed Training is provided exclusively by an network of carefully trained and qualified professionals. They make sure each Cogmed user gets the coaching needed for the best possible results. The trainings meet the high professional standards of the members of the Cogmed Network.
3. An outstanding track record of strong and lasting effects in our thousands of users in America and Europe. Cogmed training makes a real difference in people’s lives.
In short: research, coaching and results. Obviously, the results are what really matter.
What kind of research is behind Cogmed?
Cogmed’s products have been used and shown effective in several research studies. Crucially, the studies apply the golden standard of clinical research: double-blind placebo-controlled designs.
Some of the studies have been published in leading peer-reviewed scientific journals. Others are on their way there, now presented as posters at research conferences. The work has been done by Cogmed’s founders and by independent teams at leading American and European universities such as Notre Dame, NYU, Harvard, York and Stanford.
No other brain training product or attention training method can show this degree of research validation. Cogmed represents a new level of scientific rigor in brain training and a research breakthrough.
For a research summary, references and list of ongoing research, please click here
What kind of company is Cogmed?
Cogmed was founded by neuroscientists at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden, back in 2001. The company is primarily owned by the Karolinska Development AB, a fund investing long-term in making cutting-edge research into businesses that make a real difference. We have worked in the US and Canada since early 2006, from our office in Naperville, Illinois.
For more Frequently Asked Questions, click here
