The effects of working memory training on cognitive flexibility in man

In the present study we examined the effects of working memory training on cognitive flexibility in humans. Forty healthy male participants were divided into three groups (matched for demographic variables, schizotypy, impulsivity and baseline cognitive flexibility): a) fully adapted group (participants were fully trained with an executive working memory task for six consecutive days); b) partially adapted group (participants were partially trained with an executive working memory task for six consecutive days) and c) control group (participants did not receive cognitive training). Following training, participants were examined with a second cognitive flexibility task. We found that the fully adapted group had improved cognitive flexibility (they made fewer errors and needed fewer attempts to complete the test) compared with both the partially adapted (all p values <0.005) and the control (all p values <0.05) groups, who did not differ between each other (all p values >0.2). These findings could have significant implications in the development of therapeutic approaches for the improvement of cognitive deficits in neuropsychiatric disorders.