Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40772439›Full record

ArticlePsyCh journal2025

Unraveling the Link Between n-Back Working Memory and Algebraic Ability in Adolescents: Correlations and Training Effects.

Jingguang Li, Xia Chen, Liyun Hua, Zhidong Wang, Yajun Zhao, Xingbo Wang, Wei Liu

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in PsyCh journal, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Jingguang LiSchool of Teacher Education, Dali University, Dali, China.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2410-937X
Xia ChenSchool of Teacher Education, Dali University, Dali, China.
Liyun HuaDa Yawan No. 1 Middle School, Huizhou, China.
Zhidong WangSchool of Teacher Education, Dali University, Dali, China.
Yajun ZhaoSchool of Education and Psychology, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu, China.
Xingbo WangSchool of Teacher Education, Dali University, Dali, China.
Wei LiuSchool of Education, Yunnan Minzu University, Kunming, China.

Funding

Mental Health Education Mentor Team Incubation Project of Yunnan ProvinceNational Natural Science Foundation of China 31500884National Natural Science Foundation of China 32060192National Natural Science Foundation of China 32160201
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Individuals with higher working memory capacities excel in mathematics performance. However, limited research has explored the impact of working memory on adolescents' algebraic ability and the transferability of training effects. Therefore, we conducted the current investigation with Chinese adolescents. In a correlational study (n = 218), we identified a positive association between n-back working memory and the ability to solve algebraic word and equation problems. In a subsequent training study, the experimental group (n = 28) underwent adaptive n-back working memory training for 20 days, resulting in enhanced working memory performance. However, no improvements in algebraic performance were observed in the experimental group compared to either the passive control (n = 22) or the active control group (n = 28). Together, while n-back working memory performance is associated with better algebraic performance, leveraging training gains of working memory to enhance algebra learning presents challenges. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are presented.

Indexed as

LearningMathematicsMemory, Short-TermProblem SolvingAdolescentChinaFemaleHumansMaleadolescentsalgebraic abilityn‐backtrainingworking memory

Identifiers

PMID40772439
PMCPMC12702589

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.