Abstract
Objective: To determine the empirical evidence for deficits in working memory (WM) processes in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: Exploratory meta-analytic procedures were used to investigate whether children with ADHD exhibit WM impairments. Twenty-six empirical research studies published from 1997 to December, 2003 (subsequent to a previous review) met our inclusion criteria. WM measures were categorized according to both modality (verbal, spatial) and type of processing required (storage versus storage/manipulation). Results: Children with ADHD exhibited deficits in multiple components of WM that were independent of comorbidity with language learning disorders and weaknesses in general intellectual ability. Overall effect sizes for spatial storage (effect size = 0.85, CI = 0.62-1.08) and spatial central executive WM (effect size = 1.06, confidence interval = 0.72-1.39) were greater than those obtained for verbal storage (effect size = 0.47, confidence interval = 0.36-0.59) and verbal central executive WM (effect size = 0.43, confidence interval = 0.24-0.62). Conclusion: Evidence of WM impairments in children with ADHD supports recent theoretical models implicating WM processes in ADHD. Future research is needed to more clearly delineate the nature, severity, and specificity of the impairments to ADHD.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 377-384 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was funded by a Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR) Doctoral Fellowship (Ms. Martinussen), a CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship (Dr. Hayden), and a CIHR operating grant (Dr. Tannock).
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Developmental and Educational Psychology
- Psychiatry and Mental health
