Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study
This study examined the effect of executive function training targeting both updating and inhibition in children. The training included both single training (i.e., number 2-back training) and combined training (i.e., number 2-back and fish flanker training). Event-related potentials were also record...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Behavioral Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/956 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849714345328508928 |
|---|---|
| author | Chen Cheng Baoxi Wang |
| author_facet | Chen Cheng Baoxi Wang |
| author_sort | Chen Cheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examined the effect of executive function training targeting both updating and inhibition in children. The training included both single training (i.e., number 2-back training) and combined training (i.e., number 2-back and fish flanker training). Event-related potentials were also recorded. In Experiment 1, we employed both single-training and combined-training groups, which were contrasted with each other and with an active control group. In Experiment 2, the control group and the combined-training group were recruited to perform training tasks identical to those used in Experiment 1, and their EEG data were collected during the pretest and posttest stage. Experiment 1 found that the single group showed clear evidence for transfer to letter 2-back task compared with the active control group. The combined group showed significant transfer to the letter 2-back and arrow flanker task. Both groups found no transfer to fluid intelligence or shifting. Experiment 2 revealed that the participants who received updating and inhibition training showed a significant reduction in N2 amplitude and a significant increase in P300 amplitude after training in comparison to the active control group. Importantly, there was a significant positive correlation between reduced N2 amplitude and decreased response time in conflict effects. Additionally, there was a strong positive trend toward a relationship between behavioral performance improvement and an increase in P300 amplitude. From the perspective of the near-transfer effect, combined training is more effective than single training. Our results showed that the extent of transfer depends on the cognitive component overlap between the training and transfer tasks. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-05df6f0feee44c949c3c08afe57e9b52 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-05df6f0feee44c949c3c08afe57e9b522025-08-20T03:13:43ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-07-0115795610.3390/bs15070956Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot StudyChen Cheng0Baoxi Wang1School of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, ChinaSchool of Psychology, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang 330022, ChinaThis study examined the effect of executive function training targeting both updating and inhibition in children. The training included both single training (i.e., number 2-back training) and combined training (i.e., number 2-back and fish flanker training). Event-related potentials were also recorded. In Experiment 1, we employed both single-training and combined-training groups, which were contrasted with each other and with an active control group. In Experiment 2, the control group and the combined-training group were recruited to perform training tasks identical to those used in Experiment 1, and their EEG data were collected during the pretest and posttest stage. Experiment 1 found that the single group showed clear evidence for transfer to letter 2-back task compared with the active control group. The combined group showed significant transfer to the letter 2-back and arrow flanker task. Both groups found no transfer to fluid intelligence or shifting. Experiment 2 revealed that the participants who received updating and inhibition training showed a significant reduction in N2 amplitude and a significant increase in P300 amplitude after training in comparison to the active control group. Importantly, there was a significant positive correlation between reduced N2 amplitude and decreased response time in conflict effects. Additionally, there was a strong positive trend toward a relationship between behavioral performance improvement and an increase in P300 amplitude. From the perspective of the near-transfer effect, combined training is more effective than single training. Our results showed that the extent of transfer depends on the cognitive component overlap between the training and transfer tasks.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/956executive function trainingupdatinginhibitionnear transferfar transfer |
| spellingShingle | Chen Cheng Baoxi Wang Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study Behavioral Sciences executive function training updating inhibition near transfer far transfer |
| title | Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study |
| title_full | Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study |
| title_fullStr | Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study |
| title_short | Executive Function and Transfer Effect Training in Children: A Behavioral and Event-Related Potential Pilot Study |
| title_sort | executive function and transfer effect training in children a behavioral and event related potential pilot study |
| topic | executive function training updating inhibition near transfer far transfer |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/956 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT chencheng executivefunctionandtransfereffecttraininginchildrenabehavioralandeventrelatedpotentialpilotstudy AT baoxiwang executivefunctionandtransfereffecttraininginchildrenabehavioralandeventrelatedpotentialpilotstudy |