How useful is executive control training? Age differences in near and far transfer of task‐switching training

TLDR

Although executive functions can be improved by training, little is known about the extent to which these training‑related benefits can be transferred to other tasks, or whether this transfer can be modulated by the type of training. The study examined how task‑switching training transfers across ages to structurally similar tasks and to dissimilar executive tasks and fluid intelligence, and how verbal self‑instructions and variable training modulate this transfer. A pre‑test–training–post‑test design was employed with three age groups (8–10, 18–26, and 62–76 years). Near transfer of task‑switching training was observed in all age groups, especially children and older adults, and was enhanced in adults but impaired in children when training tasks were variable; far transfer to other executive tasks and fluid intelligence was substantial across all age groups.

Abstract

Although executive functions can be improved by training, little is known about the extent to which these training-related benefits can be transferred to other tasks, or whether this transfer can be modulated by the type of training. This study investigated lifespan changes in near transfer of task-switching training to structurally similar tasks and its modulation by verbal self-instructions and variable training, as well as far transfer to structurally dissimilar 'executive' tasks and fluid intelligence. Three age groups (8-10; 18-26; 62-76 years of age) were examined in a pretest-training-posttest design. We found near transfer of task-switching training in all age groups, especially in children and older adults. Near transfer was enhanced in adults and impaired in children when training tasks were variable. We also found substantial far transfer to other executive tasks and fluid intelligence in all age groups, pointing to the transfer of relatively general executive control abilities after training.