U.S. patent application number 10/472403 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-03 for method and arrangement in a computer training system.
Invention is credited to Klingberg, Torkel.
Application Number | 20050244797 10/472403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20284092 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050244797 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Klingberg, Torkel |
November 3, 2005 |
METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT IN A COMPUTER TRAINING SYSTEM
Abstract
The present invention relates to a computer training system for
training working memory capacity of a user of a computer within the
system, and a computer program to be used within said system, a
first task of a first difficulty level is presented to the user, a
delay of a predetermined time is performed, during which delay the
task is not visible or audible to the user, and during which delay
it is not possible to enter an answer into the computer, the
difficulty level of a subsequent task to be presented to the user
is changed in accordance with predetermined adaptation rules and
based on said evaluation such that the difficulty level of the
subsequent task is adapted to the capacity of the user, subsequent
tasks are presented to the user adapted to the capacity of the user
in until a predetermined time limit is exceeded or until a
predetermined number of tasks has been performed.
Inventors: |
Klingberg, Torkel; (Bromma,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MOSER, PATTERSON & SHERIDAN L.L.P.
595 SHREWSBURY AVE, STE 100
FIRST FLOOR
SHREWSBURY
NJ
07702
US
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 0081944 A1 |
April 29, 2004 |
|
|
Family ID: |
20284092 |
Appl. No.: |
10/472403 |
Filed: |
September 17, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
August 22, 2001 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE01/01787 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
434/236 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09B 7/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
434/236 |
International
Class: |
G09B 019/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 14, 2001 |
SE |
0101683-1 |
Claims
1. A computer training system for improving the working memory
capacity of a user of a computer (110) within said system, the
system comprising: a computer (110) connectable to: input means
(102, 104) adapted for input of data by the user, and visual (106)
and/or audio (108) presentation means adapted for presenting tasks
for that user; means for receiving an answer of a presented task
from the user by means of said input means; means for evaluating
whether the answer is correct or incorrect; means for presenting a
first task of a first difficulty level, on said presentation means;
and; means for changing the difficulty level of a subsequent task
to be presented to the user, in accordance with predetermined
adaptation rules and based on said evaluation, such that the
difficulty level of the subsequent task is adapted to the capacity
of the user, making the user motivated to proceed with the
subsequent task; and means for presenting subsequent tasks adapted
to the capacity of the user as mentioned above, until a
predetermined time limit is exceeded or until a predetermined
number of tasks has been performed. characterised in that computer
(110) comprises: means for making a delay of a predetermined time,
during which delay the stimuli that should be remembered is not
visible or audible to the user and during which delay it is not
possible to enter an answer into the computer (110) so that during
this delay, the user keeps the task information about the stimuli
in his working memory.
2. The computer training system according to claim 1, wherein said
predetermined adaptation rules determines that after one or more
correct answers the difficulty level is raised and after one or
more incorrect answers the difficulty level is lowered.
3. The computer training system according to the previous claim,
wherein said difficulty level is raised after three correct answers
and wherein the difficulty level is lowered after one incorrect
answer.
4. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein the computer (110) is connectable to a server (114)
adapted for storing results of the tasks.
5. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein the computer (110) is connectable to a server (114)
adapted for storing the working memory training computer program
such that it is possible for the user to download said computer
program to the computer (110).
6. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims 4-5, wherein the computer (110) comprises an Internet
interface for connecting to the server (114) via the Internet.
7. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims 4-6, wherein said server (114) is accessible by a second
computer (118) used by a training adviser and/or a medical
adviser.
8. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein the predetermined time in the means for making a
delay is 0.1-10 seconds.
9. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein it comprises means for making a disturbance during
said delay.
10. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein the task is adapted for training the spatial part
of the working memory.
11. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the spatial part of the working memory.
12. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claim 1-9, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the verbal part of the working memory.
13. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claim 1-9, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the object orienting part of the working memory.
14. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claims, wherein the system is used for therapeutic treatment of a
person with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
15. The computer training system according to the previous claim,
wherein the therapeutic treatment is used for reducing the
hyperactivity of the person with ADHD.
16. The computer training system according to any of the previous
claim 1-13, wherein the system is used for the therapeutic
treatment of a person with traumatic brain injury.
17. The computer training system according to any of the claims
1-13, wherein the system is used for therapeutic treatment of an
old person with impaired capacity of the working memory.
18. A computer program product directly loadable into a computer
(110) in a computer training system, for improving the working
memory capacity of a user of the computer (110), according to any
of the claims 1-17; the computer program product comprises the
software code means for performing the steps of: receiving an
answer to a presented task, which answer is entered into the
computer (110) by the user by means of the input means; evaluating
whether said answer is correct or incorrect; presenting a first
task of a first difficulty level to the user on the presentation
means; and; changing the difficulty level of a subsequent task to
be presented to the user, in accordance with predetermined
adaptation rules and based on said evaluation, such that the
difficulty level of the subsequent task is adapted to the capacity
of the user; and presenting subsequent tasks adapted to the
capacity of the user in accordance with the steps above until a
predetermined time limit is exceeded or until a predetermined
number of tasks has been performed; characterised in that the
computer program product further comprises the software code means
for performing the step of: making a delay of a predetermined time,
during which delay the stimuli to be remembered is not visible or
audible, and during which delay it is not possible to enter an
answer into the computer (110), so that during this delay, the user
keeps the task information about the stimuli in his working
memory.
19. The computer program product according to claim 17, wherein
said predetermined adaptation rules determines that after one or
more correct answers the computer program product performs the step
of: raising the difficulty level; and wherein said predetermined
adaptation rules determines that after one or more incorrect
answers the computer program product performs the step of: lowering
the difficulty level.
20. The computer program product according to claim 19, wherein
said difficulty level is raised after three correct answers and
wherein the difficulty level is lowered after one incorrect
answer.
21. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-20, wherein the degree of difficulty of the task and the
subsequent tasks is adapted in such a way that the user will solve
the tasks at a degree of correctness of 70-90%.
22. The computer program product according to claim 21, wherein,
said degree of correctness is 80%.
23. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-22, wherein it further performs the step of: storing the results
of a task in a server (114) connected to the computer (110).
24. The computer program product according to any of the claim
18-23, wherein it is downloaded from a server (114).
25. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-24, wherein the predetermined time in the step of making a delay
is 0.1-10 seconds.
26. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-25, wherein it further performs the step of: making a visual or
auditory disturbance during said delay.
27. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-26, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the spatial part of the working memory.
28. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-26, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the verbal part of the working memory.
29. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-26, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the object orienting part of the working memory.
30. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-29, wherein it is used for therapeutic treatment of a person
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
31. The computer program product according to claim 30, wherein the
therapeutic treatment is used for reducing the hyperactivity of the
person with ADHD.
32. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-29, wherein the system is used for therapeutic treatment of a
person with traumatic brain injury.
33. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-29, wherein the system is used for therapeutic treatment of an
old person with impaired capacity of the working memory.
34. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-33, wherein the training is performed web-based and the user
connects the computer 110 to a network such as e.g. the Internet
and performs the training on-line by means of a media player such
as e.g. Shockwave.TM..
35. The computer program product according to any of the claims
18-34, wherein it is designed to appear to be a computer or video
game to motivate the user to perform the training.
36. A computer program product stored on a computer usable medium,
comprising readable program for causing a computer (110) in a
computer training system for improving the working memory capacity
of the user of the computer (110), according to any of the claims
1-17; to control an execution of the steps of: receiving an answer,
entered into the computer (110) by the user by means of the input
means; evaluating whether said answer is correct or incorrect;
presenting a first task of a first difficulty level to the user on
the presentation means; and; changing the difficulty level of a
subsequent task to be presented to the user, in accordance with
predetermined adaptation rules and based on said evaluation, such
that the difficulty level of the subsequent task is adapted to the
capacity of the user; and presenting subsequent tasks adapted to
the capacity of the user in accordance with the steps above until a
predetermined time limit is exceeded or until a predetermined
number of tasks has been performed characterised in that the
computer program product causes the computer (110) to control an
execution of the further step of: making a delay of a predetermined
time, during which delay the stimuli to be remembered is not
visible or audible, and during which delay it is not possible to
enter an answer into the computer (110), so that during this delay,
the user keeps the task information about the stimuli in his
working memory.
37. The computer program product according to claim 36, wherein
said predetermined adaptation rules determines that after one or
more correct answers the computer program product performs the step
of: raising the difficulty level; and wherein said predetermined
adaptation rules determines that after one or more incorrect
answers the computer program product performs the step of: lowering
the difficulty level.
38. The computer program product according to claim 37, wherein
said difficulty level is raised after three correct answers and
wherein the difficulty level is lowered after one incorrect
answer.
39. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-38, wherein the degree of difficulty of the task and the
subsequent tasks is adapted in such a way that the user will solve
the tasks at a degree of correctness of 70-90%.
40. The computer program product according to claim 39, wherein,
said degree of correctness is 80%.
41. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-40, wherein it causes the computer (110) to control an execution
of the further step of: storing the results of a task in a server
(114) connected to the computer (110).
42. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-41, wherein the predetermined time in the step of making a delay
is 0.1-10 seconds.
43. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-42, wherein it causes the computer (110) to control an execution
of the further step of: making a visual or auditory disturbance
during said delay.
44. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-43, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the spatial part of the working memory.
45. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-43, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the verbal part of the working memory.
46. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-43, wherein the task and subsequent tasks are adapted for
training the object orienting part of the working memory.
47. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-46, wherein it is used for therapeutic treatment of a person
with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
48. The computer program product according to claim 45, wherein the
therapeutic treatment is used for reducing the hyperactivity of the
person with ADHD.
49. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-44 wherein the system is used for therapeutic treatment of a
person with traumatic brain injury.
50. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-44, wherein the system is used for therapeutic treatment of an
old person with impaired capacity of the working memory.
51. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-50, wherein the training is performed web-based and the user
connects the computer (110) to a network such as e.g. the Internet
and performs the training on-line by means of a media player such
as e.g. Shockwave.TM..
52. The computer program product according to any of the claims
36-51 wherein it is designed to appear to be a computer or video
game to motivate the user to perform the training.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a computer training system
for training working memory capacity of a user of a computer within
the system and a computer program to be used within said system
according to the respective preamble of claim 1, 18 and 35.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0002] Working memory capacity is the ability to retain and
manipulate information. This ability underlies complex reasoning.
Persons with Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and
persons with traumatic brain injury represent groups of human
beings with working memory deficits, attributed to impairments of
the frontal lobe, including abnormal dopamine transmission
affecting the basal ganglia and frontal cortex, or impaired
connections between the basal ganglia and the frontal cortex.
[0003] ADHD is a disorder that begin in childhood and sometimes
last into adult life. In general, children and adults with ADHD
have difficulties paying attention and concentrating (inattention),
sitting still (hyperactivity) and controlling impulsive behaviour
(impulsivity). These problems can affect nearly every aspect of
life. Children and adults with ADHD often struggle with low
self-esteem, troubled personal relationships and poor performance
in school or at work.
[0004] The ability to retain and manipulate information in working
memory depends on the prefrontal cortex. Working memory underlies
several cognitive abilities, including logical reasoning and
problem solving. Working memory capacity has been regarded as a
permanent trait of the individual, closely related to g, a proposed
measure of general cognitive ability. This is e.g. referred to in
Kyllonen, P. C. & Christal, R. E. Reasoning ability is (little
more than) working-memory capacity?! Intelligence 14, 389-433
(1990). Referring to Ericsson, K. A., Chase, W. G. & Faloon, S.
Acquisition of a memory skill. Science 208, 1181-1182 (1980), there
are case studies of subjects who learned a strategies to retain a
large number of digits, such strategies were not useful for
remembering other types of stimuli. Therefore such training does
not increase general working memory capacity.
[0005] Experts estimate that between 3% to 5% of children are
affected by ADHD. Just what constitutes the best treatment for ADHD
is a matter of debate. Currently, psycho stimulant drugs such as
methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) or dextroamphetamine
(Dexedtine) are the most common treatment. The stimulant drugs are
targeted at a portion of the brain called the basal ganglia
(putamen, nucleus caudatus, claustrum, globus pallidus, substantia
nigra and nucleus subthalamicus). So-called striato-frontal loops
are associated with the basal ganglia. Those striato-frontal loops
have an anomalous and not working interaction with the basal
ganglia in the case of ADHD. By targeting the medicaments at the
basal ganglia, the disturbance of the striato-frontal loops will be
less.
[0006] However, the use of these drugs is under scrutiny. The most
common side effects of psycho stimulants include loss of appetite,
nervousness and problems sleeping. Parents are also understandably
concerned about long-term effects of psycho stimulants, which are
similar to amphetamines, and the risk of addiction.
[0007] Additionally, some doctors question giving stimulants to
young children because the nervous systems of the child are under
development and therefore vulnerable. Some clinicians have
expressed concern about giving stimulants to children with ADHD
because the long-term effect of treatment is insufficiently known.
The effect of the drug is short lasting, so that the child has to
medicate 2-3 times per day.
[0008] The medicaments are also expensive to produce and require a
physical transport system for the patients.
[0009] Several regimens, methods and apparatus on the market today
are constructed for attempting to alleviate the children's
symptoms, but no regimen is constructed in such way that it will
provide an alleviation of the symptoms of ADHD or hyperactivity,
neither is any regimen constructed for training working memory
capacity of a human being.
[0010] A computerised method and computer system for the
remediation of exaggerated responses of an individual is shown in
WO 99/49822. The system includes a computer, which is adopted to
signal a feedback received from a patient due to a stimulus via an
input device and depending on this feedback, the frequency of the
stimuli is changed.
[0011] Methods for training of the audible perception are also
known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a
computer training system for improving the working memory capacity
of a human being.
[0013] This is achieved by a computer training system having the
features of claim 1, a computer program product directly loadable
into the internal memory of the computer within the computer
training system, having the features of claim 18, and a computer
program product stored on a computer usable medium causing the
computer within the computer training system to control execution
steps, having the features of claim 35
[0014] Thanks to that the computer training system comprises means
for presenting a first task of a first difficulty level, on
presentation means; and means for making a delay of a predetermined
time, during which delay the task is not visible or audible to the
user and during which delay it is not possible to enter an answer
into the computer (110); means for changing the difficulty level of
a subsequent task to be presented to the user, in accordance with
predetermined adaptation rules and based on said evaluation, such
that the difficulty level of the subsequent task is adapted to the
capacity of the user, making the user motivated to proceed with the
subsequent task; and means for presenting subsequent tasks adapted
to the capacity of the user as mentioned above, until a
predetermined time limit is exceeded or until a predetermined
number of tasks has been performed, a user of the computer within
the system can perform training and improve his/her working memory
capacity.
[0015] Thanks to that the computer program product directly
loadable into the internal memory of a computer within the computer
training system, comprises the software code means for performing
the steps of: presenting a first task of a first difficulty level
to the user on presentation means; making a delay of a
predetermined time, during which delay the task is not visible or
audible, and during which delay it is not possible to enter an
answer into the computer, changing the difficulty level of a
subsequent task to be presented to the user, in accordance with
predetermined adaptation rules and based on said evaluation, such
that the difficulty level of the subsequent task is adapted to the
capacity of the user; and presenting subsequent tasks adapted to
the capacity of the user in accordance with the steps above until a
predetermined time limit is exceeded or until a predetermined
number of tasks has been performed, a user of the computer program
within the system can perform training and improve his/her working
memory capacity.
[0016] A computer program product stored on a computer usable
medium, comprising readable program for causing a computer within
the computer training system to control an execution of the steps
of: presenting a first task of a first difficulty level to the user
on presentation means; making a delay of a predetermined time,
during which delay the task is not visible or audible, and during
which delay it is not possible to enter an answer into the
computer, changing the difficulty level of a subsequent task to be
presented to the user, in accordance with predetermined adaptation
rules and based on said evaluation, such that the difficulty level
of the subsequent task is adapted to the capacity of the user; and
presenting subsequent tasks adapted to the capacity of the user in
accordance with the steps above until a predetermined time limit is
exceeded or until a predetermined number of tasks has been
performed, a user of the computer program within the system can
perform training and improve his/her working memory capacity.
[0017] An advantage of the present invention is that working memory
can be enhanced. The effects of this includes reduction of
symptoms, both inattention and hyperactivity, in ADHD without the
use of short-acting psycho-stimulants. One advantage of not using
psycho-stimulants is that possible negative effects on the brain,
such as increasing the risk for future drug abuse, can be
avoided.
[0018] Another advantage of the present invention is that the
enhancement of working memory by the present invention is long last
(several months) whereas the effect of psycho-stimulants only lasts
6 hours.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary computer training system according
to the present invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows a visuo-spatial working memory task according
to the present invention
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a letter-span task according to the present
invention
[0022] FIG. 4 shows a backwards verbal/or object span task
according to the present invention
[0023] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an adaptive staircase
adjusting the difficulty of a series of tasks according to the
present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer training
system 100 according to the present invention. The system 100
comprises a computer 110 which may be a personal computer (PC), a
workstation computer or some other type of computer, to be used by
a human being, from now on called the user, who intends to train
and improve his/her working memory capacity. The user is e.g. a
person with working memory deficit such as a child with ADHD, a
person who has a traumatic brain damage such as after a stroke or
any person that wishes to improve his/her working memory capacity.
Further the user may be an elderly having a working memory with
impaired capacity or any person that wishes to improve the capacity
of working memory.
[0025] The computer 110 could be situated in the user's home, at
the user's school, at the user's work, etc.
[0026] The computer 110 is adapted to comprise a computer program
for training the working memory of the user, the program being
adapted to run on the computer 110. This computer program is stored
in a computer readable medium 118, the e.g. in a memory 112 of the
computer, on a CDROM insertable into a CDROM reading entity of the
computer 110, on a Digital Video Disk (DVD) insertable in a DVD
reading entity of the computer 110 or a floppy disc insertable in a
floppy disk reader of the computer. How the computer program works
will be described more in detail later on.
[0027] The computer 110 is connectable to input means adapted for
input of data into the computer 110 such as answers to tasks,
information, etc. by the user in accordance with the working memory
training computer program. The input means may be e.g. a keypad
102, a pointing device such as a computer mouse 104, a microphone
103, etc. The computer 110 is further connectable to visual and/or
audio presentation means adapted for presenting tasks for that user
according to the working memory training computer program. The
visual presentation means may be a screen 106 where tasks,
information, etc. is adapted to be presented to the user so that
he/she can reed or see tasks. The screen 106 is further adapted to
making visible, answers to the tasks, information, etc. inserted by
the user by means of the mouse 104 interacting with a cursor
displayed on the screen 106 or by means of the key pad 102. The
audio presentation means may be e.g. a loud speaker 108 or a head
set, which according to the computer program is adapted for
presentation of instructions, tasks etc. for the user.
[0028] The computer 110 may be connectable to a server 114, e.g.
via the Internet 116. In that case the computer 110 comprises an
Internet interface. The server 114 is adapted e.g. for storing
results of training tasks and for storing the working memory
training computer program. The user may connect to the server for
downloading the working memory training computer program. The
computer 110 may also be accessible by a second computer 118 used
by e.g. training adviser and/or a medical adviser or o that the
user can communicate with the adviser and further, the adviser may
gets access to the test results of the user. Thus the present
invention is performed by means of a traditional computer and the
results of the training exercises can be analysed.
[0029] The user prepares the computer 110 that he/she is going to
use for the training with the required working memory training
computer program according to the present invention. This may e.g.
be performed by connecting the computer to the server 114 via the
Internet 116 and download the computer program, or insert a CDROM
or floppy disk comprising the computer program into a CDROM or
floppy disk reading entity of the computer 110. The computer
training may also be web-based, in that case the user connects the
computer 110 to a network such as e.g. the Internet, and performs
the training on-line by means of a media player such as e.g.
Shockwave.TM.. The computer program may appear to be a video game
to motivate e.g. children with ADHD to perform the training.
[0030] The training is performed by the user answering a number of
presented tasks in accordance with the computer program according
to the present invention. The steps of this working memory training
computer program will now be described more in detail. A task of a
first level is presented to the user on the screen 106 or by a
voice telling the task by means of the loud speaker. The computer
program will perform a delay of preferably 0.1-10 seconds after the
presentation of said task. During this delay, the presentation of
the stimuli to be remembered is taken away from the presentation
means, i.e. the stimuli is not visible or audible to the user, and
it is not possible to entering an answer during this time interval.
During this short delay the user keeps the task information about
the stimuli in his working memory. To make the difficulty level of
the task higher the computer may present a visual or auditory
disturbance during the delay. For the visuo-spatial working memory
task, this can be done by presenting task-irrelevant visual stimuli
during the delay. In verbal tasks, task-irrelevant sounds may be
presented. In this case the user must concentrate even harder to
keep the presented task information in his working memory.
[0031] After the delay, the user has to answer to the presented
task in accordance with what he has kept in working memory during
the delay. The answer is suitably performed by input of data into
the computer e.g. by means of entering the answer into the screen
106, by typing on the key-pad 102, clicking with the computer mouse
104 or simply telling the answer into the microphone 103 if the
computer is voice managed.
[0032] The computer 110 then evaluates whether the answer is
correct or not and then presents a subsequent task in accordance
with predetermined adaptation rules and based on said evaluation
having a difficulty level. In this way the difficulty level of the
tasks can be adapted close to the capacity of the user and keep the
user to be motivated to keep on with subsequent tasks. The user is
motivated if the tasks are neither too difficult nor too simple,
i.e. if he not gets bored.
[0033] The predetermined adaptation rules may preferably mean that
a subsequent task of a higher difficulty level in the program is
presented, if one or more, preferably three, preceding tasks of the
current level has been solved by the user. If the task of the
current difficulty level has been answered incorrectly by the user,
a subsequent task of a lower level will be presented. In such a
way, the training can be performed close to the capacity of the
patient, since the adaptive training adjusts the difficulty on a
trial-by-trial basis.
[0034] Suitably, the adaptive training comprises a degree of
difficulty, which is adapted in such a way that the patient will
solve the tasks at a degree of correctness of preferably 70-90%
averaged over each task and each day. Most preferably, the adaptive
training comprises a degree of difficulty, which is adapted in such
a way, that the patient will solve the problems at essentially 80%.
When the tasks are not adaptive to the capacity of the user, and
the working memory load is low, the training has no effect on the
capacity of the working memory, which was studied in a placebo
group (see later on).
[0035] The working memory comprises spatial, verbal and
object-orienting parts, involving both retention of information in
working memory, as well as both retention and manipulation (e.g.
sorting) of information. Training of any one of these parts will
improve the working memory capacity of the user and thus also the
influence upon the basal ganglia via the stratio-frontal loops, but
training all three parts of the working memory of the user, by
means of so called sub-tasks or partial training tests, improves
the working memory capacity in a more efficient way.
[0036] Training the Spatial Part of the Working Memory.
[0037] The spatial part of the working memory may be trained by the
visuo-spatial working memory task provided by the computer program
run on the computer 110. This task is shown in FIG. 2 as four sets
of presentation sequences that are visible to the user on the
screen 106. The task is performed in the following steps:
[0038] 211. A first task of a first difficulty level is presented,
wherein lightened squares P1, P2 appear one at a time in a three by
three grid 41. Advantageously, the grid may also, constitute a four
by four grid, but for the sake of clarity just nine squares are
shown.
[0039] 212. A delay of e.g. 5 seconds appears 212.
[0040] 213. Then the user may indicate the positions of the earlier
lightened, but now turned of, squares i1, i2 in the same order as
they were lightened 213 by means of the computer mouse 104 acting
on a pointer 35. This will provide the input of data into the
computer 110 corresponding to the user's answer regarding the first
task of the first level. The computer 110 evaluates the input data
to establish if the answer is correct or not.
[0041] The user makes several similar tasks of the same difficulty
level, see steps 221, 222, 223, 231, 232, 233.
[0042] 241. If the user makes e.g. three trials running correctly,
a task with a higher difficulty level will be presented by the
computer 110 on the screen 106. Thus lightened squares PI, P2, P3
appear one at a time.
[0043] 242. A delay of e.g. 1 second is performed.
[0044] 243. The user then marks his answer If the user misses the
correct square P3 and make an input i3 at a non-correct position
243, a task with a lower difficulty level will be presented, that
is the same as the previously done 211, 221 and 231. This is
achieved by the computer program according to the present
invention, which compares the user's answer, i.e. the input data,
with the correct data according to a flow chart shown in FIG.
5.
[0045] Training the Verbal Part of the Working Memory.
[0046] The verbal part of the working memory is trained e.g. in the
letter-span task provided by the computer program run on the
computer 110 and shown in FIG. 3.
[0047] The task is performed in the following steps:
[0048] 301. Letters F, G, A are read aloud by the loud speaker 108
one at a time. The user should remember the identity and the order
of the letters.
[0049] 302. A row of lamps 43, is then visible 302 on the screen
106 and a flashing lamp 45 cue the user as to which letter that
should be reported back, e.g. if lamp no 3 was lit, the user should
report the third letter that he previously heard.
[0050] 303. The letters appear 303 on the screen 106, but in a
different order than previously presented, whereby the patient 3
may mark the correct letter by means of the pointer 35, which
constitutes the input data to the computer 110. The computer
evaluates the input data to establish if the answer was correct or
not.
[0051] Training the Object Orienting Part of the Working
Memory.
[0052] The object oriented part of the working memory is trained
e.g. in the backwards verbal/or object span task with manipulation
of the information kept in working memory which is shown in FIG.
4.
[0053] The task is performed in the following steps
[0054] 401 A keyboard with 9 different objects (which may be
digits) are shown to the user on the screen 106 and
[0055] 402 a series of said shown objects are read aloud via the
loud speaker 108 e.g. the three objects. E. g. the loud speaker
speaks out "bicycle" P1, "star" P2, "airplane" P3.
[0056] 403 After the series of objects is heard, the user shall
mark the objects, but in the reverse order, by means of the
computer mouse 104 or the keypad 102, and thus making an input to
the computer 110 by means of the pointer 35. The correct answer is
"airplane" i1, "star" i2 and "bicycle" i3.
[0057] Of course, the content of the sub-tests may comprise other
symbols or signs as well, in order to achieve the results of
stimulating the working memory according to the present
invention.
[0058] Also, according to the shown problem set of complexity in
FIG. 2 and 3, when the user makes three trials running correct, he
will be presented a higher level comprising further training
exercises. The next level will comprise an additional object, which
will be read aloud. A mistake will signal the program to present a
lower difficulty level. Thus, an adaptive mechanism is provided for
all the sub-tasks and training exercises
[0059] For all the partial exercises for training the working
memory, the difficulty is according to the invention adjusted by
changing the number of stimuli that should be remembered.
Preferably, after three correct trials running on one level, the
level is raised to a higher level. After one mistake, the level is
lowered. This ensures an overall accuracy of approximately 80%,
which is a difficulty level that motivates the user. Suitably, the
user may complete 30 trials on each partial exercise every day,
wherein the daily training time in total is approximately 10-120
minutes. The training exercises are preferably performed at least 3
days a week. The training according to the invention is performed
for about 2-7 weeks preferably 5 weeks. This amount of training is
necessary in order to induce neural plasticity.
[0060] In addition to that the training in accordance to the
present invention improves the working memory of the user, if the
user is affected by ADHD, a reduction in hyperactivity is
achieved.
[0061] The reduction in hyperactivity after training of the working
memory demonstrates a causal relationship between cognitive
function and motor behaviour. Tests show that the improvement on
non-trained working memory and problem solving tasks, which
requires activation of the prefrontal cortex, suggests that the
prefrontal cortex is the site of the training effect. The fact that
cognitive training could affect both cognitive symptoms and
hyperactivity in ADHD makes the method according to the invention
of interest for future clinical use.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an adaptive staircase
adjusting the difficulty of a series of tasks on a trial-by-trial
basis according to the present invention. The series of tasks may
be one of the three sub-task types described above. The three
sub-tasks may all be free to be activated during one day training.
That is the flow chart shown in predetermined FIG. 5 is actual for
each sub-test. The adaptive mechanism is thus adopted for the
verbal training exercise of the verbal working memory, the
visuo-spatial training exercise of the visuo-spatial working memory
and the object oriented training exercise of the object oriented
working memory respectively.
[0063] A working memory training computer program in accordance
with the present invention causes the computer 110 to provide the
working memory training of the user. Said computer program
comprises a readable medium, which when it is run on the computer
110, causes the computer to:
[0064] 501 start the program and then
[0065] 502 present a task at a first level n=2 comprising the task
information. The task is designed for enhancing the working memory
capacity of the user as described above. The first task will
constitute the first trial i=1.
[0066] 503 The computer receives the answer of the user in the form
of input data.
[0067] 504 A processing is performed by the computer 110, wherein
the input data is evaluated whether the answer is correct or
not.
[0068] 505 Hereinafter the difficulty level of subsequent presented
tasks will be based on said evaluation in accordance with
predetermined adaptation rules such that the difficulty level of
the subsequent task is adapted to the capacity of the user. In this
example the adaptation rules determines that if the answer is
correct three times running on one level, the level is raised to a
higher difficulty level of the subsequent task. The parameter k
will represent the number of correct answers in a series and the
parameter n will represent the actual difficulty level of the
task.
[0069] 506 If the answer is not correct, that is when the user has
not solved the task of the current level, the computer 110 will
present a task of a lower difficulty level.
[0070] The first level to be solved will constitute level n=2,
which therefore is the lowest level.
[0071] 507 After e.g. 30 trials, the user has been training for a
certain time. The training may be performed without any break or in
parts. When i=e.g. 30, or alternatively after a certain time, the
program causes the computer 110 to end the computer program and an
exit will be provided.
[0072] The invention is implemented by means of a computer program
product comprising the software code means for performing the
training of the working memory of the user. The computer program
product is run on the computer 110, within the computer training
system 100. The computer program is loaded directly or from a
computer usable medium, such as a floppy disc, a CD, the Internet
etc.
[0073] Regarding the human brain, the so-called striato-frontal
loops are associated with the basal ganglia and the prefrontal
cortex. Those striato-frontal loops have an anomalous and not
working interaction with the basal ganglia and the prefrontal
cortex in the case of ADHD.
[0074] In traumatic brain injury, there could be damage to the
basal ganglia, to the prefrontal cortex or to the white matter
tracts that connect the basal ganglia and the prefrontal
cortex.
[0075] The frontal lobe in the brain of the elderly can be a
degenerated.
[0076] By means of training the working memory, which depends on
the functioning of the prefrontal cortex of the human brain,
according to the present invention, the disturbance of the
striato-frontal loops will be less.
[0077] The effect of the working memory on hyperactivity could be
mediated via the influence of prefrontal cortex upon the basal
ganglia and via an integrative role of the striato-frontal
loops.
[0078] Using the Invention for Treatment of Children with ADHD
[0079] The computer program may appear to be a video game, but
actually allows the patient to perform complex mental tasks that
exercise their working memory. The program has been validated in a
study where fourteen children with ADHD undertook training of a
visuo-spatial working memory task, a visuo-spatial version of
backwards digit-span working memory task, and a spatial-verbal
working memory task. Visual and verbal feedback was implemented in
the computer program to increase compliance during the training. As
a control, the inventor also designed a placebo-program, which was
similar to the treatment-program, but did not include the two key
features: Thus difficulty level was not interactively adjusted, and
daily training amounted to less than ten minutes per day. The study
was designed as a double-blind study where children, parents, and
the psychologist administrating pre- and post-training tests were
blinded to which version of the computer program the children had
practiced and to the difference in expected effect of the two
versions.
[0080] Subjects performed a battery of cognitive tasks before and
after training to evaluate working memory capacity and prefrontal
functioning. Impulsivity and hyperactivity was also measured.
[0081] The children in the treatment group all improved to a level
comparable with that of treatment with methylphenidate. Several of
the children have spontaneously stopped medicating after the
working memory training program, and continue to be without
medication several months after treatment.
[0082] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and
equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should
not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is
defined by the appending claims.
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