Cogmed FAQs
Our frequently Asked Questions contains answers to questions previously asked by consumers and professionals.
Please click on each question for answer
About Cogmed Working Memory Training
- How is Cogmed Working Memory Training different?
- Who can benefit from training?
- What conditions would be exclusion criteria for CWMT?
- Will it help people who do not suffer from poor working memory, but who simply want to sharpen their focus?
- How can working memory be trained?
- Wouldn’t such a rigorous program be difficult for people who struggle to pay attention and follow instructions?
- Is it possible to translate the program into my language?
- Are there any known risks associated with your program?
Coaching and process
- What is the Cogmed Training Web?
- What are the 5 steps of the Cogmed Coaching Method?
- How much time does a coach normally dedicate for training a client with Cogmed Working Memory Training?
- Do I have to go through training to become a coach?
- Do we have to deliver according to the recommended model of 5 days/week for 5 weeks?
- Can training be done without a coach?
- Can you do the entire program over the phone without needing to visit a coach?
- What is a good way to evaluate training effects?
International Package
- How do we select whom to work with? What is required to become a coach?
- How do I buy Cogmed Working Memory Trainings?
- Can I buy a site license or work station license?
- Could I have a discount of the price?
- Is there a money back guarantee?
Quality and research
- Published research
- Why is compliance so high?
- Have you done any follow up on individuals having gone through the training program?
- Have the results been validated?
- Is this research being replicated elsewhere?
About Cogmed Working Memory Training
How is Cogmed Working Memory Training different? (back to top)
Cogmed Working Memory Training is not general brain training. It is targeted to working memory and is the first and only scientifically proven method for working memory training. Measurable improvements in working memory induced by Cogmed Working Memory Training have been scientifically proven to improve attention, impulse control, complex reasoning and academic performance. These are not only case studies or clinical evaluations, but randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, studies published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The results have also been proven to last. See more information below. Our product is also more than just a software package that we ship “off-the-shelf.” It includes a coaching model (overview of this is described below) and tools for coaching like Cogmed Training Web and useful templates for structuring the coaching to ensure compliance and maximum success and results.
Who can benefit from training? (back to top)
Until recently we have worked primarily with children and adults with attention deficits, but we are now expanding into broader user groups offering training also to individuals without attention deficits who want to improve their cognitive capacity. The effects have been shown in people of all levels of starting working memory, but is more marked in people with initially poor working memory. It is important to note that “poor” working memory is a highly individual metric: what is “normal” working memory for an individual will depend on factors such as age and general intelligence, but also demands put on a person in his or her daily life. Working memory can be “poor” due to various reasons like different medical diagnosis, normal aging, injury etc. There is no need for any medical diagnosis or assessment before starting training, but that the coach determines that the user has a profile where improved working memory will make relevant difference for the user.
What conditions would be exclusion criteria for CWMT? (back to top)
There are a few situations that are incompatible with starting training. People who suffer from severe depression or severe anxiety should not train with Cogmed Working Memory Training. They should be carefully evaluated by their mental health professional. People suffering from photo-sensitive epilepsia should not use the software.
Will it help people who do not suffer from poor working memory, but who simply want to sharpen their focus? (back to top)
Recent research indicates that people of all ages with a normal working memory level can improve their working memory capacity with 20% by training with Cogmed Working Memory Training.
How can working memory be trained? (back to top)
Working memory can be trained through rigorous, sustained mental exercises – for example, memorizing various pattern sequences, both verbally and visually. The intensity is key for achieving positive effects, which is why Cogmed has developed a computerized program that makes the individual work on his or her highest capacity at all times. That is when change can occur. Studies have shown that the improvements are related to changes in frontal and parietal parts of the brain, which are crucial parts of your brain for using your working memory.
Wouldn’t such a rigorous program be difficult for people who struggle to pay attention and follow instructions? (back to top)
Cogmed Working Memory Training is both challenging and engaging. The level of difficulty continually adjusts based on the real-time performance of the participant. And compliance is greatly supported by a rewards program that the user, training aide and coach develop together. Even though training can sometimes be hard, the coaching system makes sure that approximately 90% of all individuals who start training finish training successfully.
Is it possible to translate the program into my language? (back to top)
To translate and localize the program to a new language we would need either a substantial volume commitment from a distributor or that the practice/company pays for the translation. We have a process and pricing for that, but will discuss that only when we have evaluated the potential of your practice/company and found that we have a mutual fit.
Are there any known risks associated with your program? (back to top)
Based on our evaluations to date, our program is a safe and effective intervention to improve working memory. We continue to monitor diligently the outcome of the training.
Coaching and process
What is the Cogmed Training Web? (back to top)
Cogmed Training Web is a web based tool that allows the coach to follow, analyze and evaluate the individual trainings in detail which is a necessity for optimizing each training. The client that trains get a unique user-id and password and synchronizes its training data with Cogmed´s server. This means that Cogmed has a large database with the training data of every person that has trained. No patient identifiable information is stored in the database, only gender and age. Cogmed however follows the quality of all trainings carefully. As a coach you can follow the training of each and every person that trains with you through logging in to Cogmed Training Web that is linked to this database. Based on the training graphs shown in Cogmed Training Web the coach gives feedback to the client about the training. Since the support is telephone- and Internet-based, the training can be done anywhere.
What are the 5 steps of the Cogmed Coaching Method? (back to top)
The initial interview is the coach’s first contact with the user or it´s parent, if a child. The main purpose of this interview is to be able to make a recommendation on the likelihood that a specific person will benefit from training. Another purpose is to describe working memory and to clarify what training with Cogmed Working Memory Training requires in order for it to be successful. The interview is not a diagnostic assessment but a way for the coach to get a picture of whether working memory training is an appropriate intervention or not. There is a downloadable template for this at Cogmed Training Web.
The start-up session . Before Cogmed Working Memory Training can start the coach meets with the user and the training aide. The training aide is the person that will be supporting the user through out the whole training. This is the time to establish a good relationship with everyone involved in the training. In this session the coach explains what working memory and working memory training are and what is required to make training successful. Establishment of a reward system and a discussion of what to expect from training are also important topics to cover. Much attention is given to motivating the user and explaining the structure of training. As the idea of training is to constantly work at your maximum peak (which is why training is so efficient) the user needs to fully understand what the benefits of training are. There are rarely problems with compliance if the coach makes a good job in the start-up session. There is a downloadable template for this at Cogmed Training Web and a Training Book for the user to be used as a structure and motivation throughout training.
Coaching . Once a week the coach calls the user and the training aide to talk about how the training is progressing. This phone call takes about 15 minutes and the purpose is to encourage and reinforce both the user and training aide. It is also a follow-up to check that the user is doing his/her training as planned and that the training plan is working. A weekly phone call makes it possible to halt a decline in motivation before it is too late. It is also an excellent opportunity to problem solve around training. It is easy to understand that having a coach is something different than just training with the software by your own when having to train at your maximum level for long time enough to see significant results. A user’s performance can be followed in great detail through Cogmed Training Web. There is a downloadable template for this as well at Cogmed Training Web.
The wrap-up session . After training has been completed an appointment for a wrap-up session is booked. The purpose of this session is to evaluate the training effects at first step and understand how the user and training aide have perceived the training. It is important to have a clear ending and report on the results. Using rating scales is one way of measuring results, analysing the training statistics in Cogmed Training Web another. After the wrap-up session the coach prepares a final report. Cogmed has a template for this in Cogmed Training Web
Follow-up: Six months after training is completed, the coach will contact the user or the user’s parents (if a child) to do a follow-up interview over the telephone. The primary purpose of this interview is to document training effects and to see if additional training is necessary. The coach can access a template for this in Cogmed Training Web.
How much time does a coach normally dedicate for training a client with Cogmed Working Memory Training? (back to top)
For completing each Cogmed Working Memory Training, a coach would have to spend approximately 6 hours of coaching (this includes the time to interview and select patients).
Do I have to go through training to become a coach? (back to top)
No. In the simplified world-wide offering, there is no requirement of formal training to do the coaching. The Cogmed Training Web provides a coaching manual that summarizes the coaching method in an easy way. Once having trained a few cases and Cogmed and your practice/company decide to develop the relationship, we will offer an in-depth, personal training among other things.
Do we have to deliver according to the recommended model of 5 days/week for 5 weeks? (back to top)
The training should be planned as intensive as possible, ideally five days a week for five weeks, but can be adjusted to individual needs. Life sometimes interfere with the idea of doing it 5 days/week for 5 weeks and we have extensive clinical experience of clients training less often with as great results. Training should however not be spread out over more than 8 weeks.
Can training be done without a coach? (back to top)
Having a coach supporting the user through training by monitoring progress, providing directions and encouragement is recommended as our experience show that with a coach the compliance is 90%. As the idea of training is to constantly train at your maximum level a coach supporting the client is of great importance. The coach can follow up on decreasing motivation and lack of structure of training etc.
Can you do the entire program over the phone without needing to visit a coach? (back to top)
Yes, we see just as good results with this procedure as with the process involving a personal start-up meeting and final evaluation. The entire program can be done at home, and coaching can be done exclusively over the phone.
What is a good way to evaluate training effects? (back to top)
Setting up a baseline and measurable individual goals at the beginning of training is important. Our coaching manual and templates will help you doing this. Through Cogmed Training Web you will also get access to rating scales that our Cogmed Qualified practices use. Cogmed also has a recommended test battery that we happily share.
International Package
How do we select whom to work with? What is required to become a coach? (back to top)
In all markets outside of Sweden we have worked with a select group of Cogmed Qualified Practices who offer the training and coaching to their clients. These practices all have a so called “quality and assurance person” responsible for the quality of training. That person is always a licensed psychologist or medical doctor and the practices in our network are all well-established and prominent in the field of neurocognition. Cogmed works closely with each of those practices to train, support and ensure shared success. For a full list of professionals already offering Cogmed in their practice, visit > . To be able to respond to the numerous requests from professionals worldwide we have decided to start offering “The Cogmed International Working Memory Training Package” presented here. There are no qualification guidelines of whom to buy this package, but Cogmed will closely follow the quality of all performed trainings. If there is a mutual feeling of satisfaction between Cogmed and the practice/company after having completed the first set of trainings and the practice/company fits the profile of Cogmed, we can discuss the possibility of becoming a Cogmed Qualified Practice. If so Cogmed can dedicate time and effort in supporting the practice/company by offering individualized in-depth training and an account manager to help out in both clinical, marketing and business related questions.
How do I buy Cogmed Working Memory Trainings? (back to top)
Cogmed sells a package of 5 trainings/user ids, but you can naturally purchase as many of those packages as you desire.
Can I buy a site license or work station license? (back to top)
No.
Could I have a discount of the price? (back to top)
This is a question that might be considered after having trained the first set of trainings and after Cogmed and your practice/company have found that we have a good match. Not prior to that.
Is there a money back guarantee? (back to top)
There is not. To date, approximately 90% of participants have completed the program, and 80 percent have reported improvements. Cogmed does not offer any guarantees to buying practices/companies.
Quality and research
Published research (back to top)
For information about published research please visit the research pages at our web. Read more >
Why is compliance so high? (back to top)
We ensure compliance by adapting the level of difficulty to real-time performance, insisting on meaningful rewards and having the entire program be guided by a personal coach.
Have you done any follow up on individuals having gone through the training program? (back to top)
Many brain training programs show some effects during the period the person is working with the program, but the effects vanish as soon as the training is completed. In the study published in JACAAP (Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) it was demonstrated that 90% of training effects persisted 3 months after training. In a clinical follow up one year after training 79% of participants reported that they either maintained the effects or saw continued improvement. The remaining 21 % reported diminished effects at one year. When asked about the need for special tutoring at school, 39 percent answered that this need had decreased one year after training. The interview was extended by administering behavior rating scales, which also showed a continuing and ongoing decrease of inattention and hyperactivity and impulsivity since completing training one year ago.
Have the results been validated? (back to top)
The Karolinska Institute has conducted two controlled scientific studies. The first training study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the clinical effect of the training and included children with ADHD aged seven-13 years. Two groups were compared: a treatment group and a comparison group, which conducted the same tasks but at a less demanding level. When the results from the two groups were compared, we could show that the treatment group had improved significantly more than the comparison group on working memory tasks.
The second training study was a confirmation of the first study in a multi-center trial conducted at four clinical sites in Sweden. Executive functions such as working memory, response inhibition and reasoning were measured. ADHD symptoms were rated by parents and teachers before, directly after and three months after training. There was a significant treatment effect for non-trained tasks measuring visuo-spatial and verbal working memory, response inhibition and complex reasoning. Three months after the intervention, more than 90 percent of the training effect for the working memory tasks remained.
Is this research being replicated elsewhere? (back to top)
The results of these studies have inspired other researchers to start studies to deepen the understanding of working memory and the effects of training. Academic institutions around the world ( i e Notre Dame, Stanford, Harvard, NYU and York University) are currently conducting research about working memory training, using Cogmed Working Memory Training. Further research is also being conducted at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. We excitedly await the results of these studies which will be presented in their respective academic channels upon conclusion.
