Memory games helped children's memory, but not their attention or school subject tests.

The review

1. 01

   Who took part

   The review pooled 11 studies of children aged about 6 to 14, some with ADHD or learning difficulties. Others had epilepsy or brain injury, or were born early.

2. 02

   What they did

   Children did computer memory games that got harder as they improved. They did about 25 sessions over five weeks or more. The comparison groups did no training, a version that did not get harder, or workbook and maths.

3. 03

   What happened

   Straight after training, spoken and visual memory both improved more than in the other groups. Three to six months later, spoken memory was still a little higher. Visual memory was no higher then, and attention and school subject scores showed no clear gain at either time.

What the review found

1. HelpedOther outcomes

   At the end, children who did the exercises did better on spoken memory tests.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 10 studies · vs children who had no training or other practice

2. No differenceFocus

   At the end, attention was no better for children who did the memory exercises.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 4 studies · vs children who had no training or other practice

3. No differenceGoals

   At the end, school subject scores were no better for children who did the memory exercises.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 4 studies · vs children who had no training or other practice

4. No differenceFocus

   Three to six months later, attention was no better for those who did the memory exercises.

   • Action: Train attention and memory with exercisestested

   Pooled analysis of 2 studies · vs children who had no training or other practice

Source