Using clustering algorithms to examine the association between working memory training trajectories and therapeutic outcomes among psychiatric and healthy populations

Or David Agassi, Uri Hertz, Reut Shani, Nazanin Derakshan, Avigail Wiener, Hadas Okon-Singer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Working memory (WM) training has gained interest due to its potential to enhance cognitive functioning and reduce symptoms of mental disorders. Nevertheless, inconsistent results suggest that individual differences may have an impact on training efficacy. This study examined whether individual differences in training performance can predict therapeutic outcomes of WM training, measured as changes in anxiety and depression symptoms in sub-clinical and healthy populations. The study also investigated the association between cognitive abilities at baseline and different training improvement trajectories. Ninety-six participants (50 females, mean age = 27.67, SD = 8.84) were trained using the same WM training task (duration ranged between 7 to 15 sessions). An algorithm was then used to cluster them based on their learning trajectories. We found three main WM training trajectories, which in turn were related to changes in anxiety symptoms following the training. Additionally, executive function abilities at baseline predicted training trajectories. These findings highlight the potential for using clustering algorithms to reveal the benefits of cognitive training to alleviate maladaptive psychological symptoms.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPsychological Research
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was supported by the JOY ventures grant for neurowellness research #100006159 awarded to HOS. In addition, part of this work was made possible by resources made available by the Data Science Research Center at the University of Haifa (from the Council for Higher Education), grant #100008976 awarded to HOS.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
  • Developmental and Educational Psychology
  • Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous)

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