Applying advancements in neurolinguistic research to enhance semantic processing via cognitive training Nili Metuki a , Michal Lavidor a, b, * a Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel b Department of Psychology, University of Hull, Hull, UK article info Article history: Received 21 November 2012 Received in revised form 13 May 2013 Accepted 13 May 2013 Keywords: Cognitive training Linguistic enhancement Semantic processing Coarse coding Right hemisphere Ambiguous words abstract This study explored the effect of a novel theory-based intervention intended to enhance semantic skills. A cognitive training program was developed based on theories and empirical findings which describe the role of the right hemisphere (RH) in semantic pro- cessing. The importance of RH linguistic processes to daily communication has been emphasized in recent neurolinguistic research, allowing to create a selective intervention to stimulate and enhance these processes in a way that will affect real-life performance. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the training and its selective effect on semantic performance (as opposed to general verbal and non-verbal skills), we conducted an experiment with an active control group. Fifteen participants used the computerized training program for five weeks and 15 participants trained on a non-semantic control program using the same game- like platform, stimuli and feedback. In a semantic-relatedness judgment task, administrated before and after the training, significant post-training enhancement was observed among the training participants, compared to the control group. This enhancement was predicted by shifts in laterality indices along the training, so that participants with increasing RH bias showed more improvement on the semantic task. Moreover, the training group did not show any significant enhancement in any of the verbal and non-verbal control tasks – implying that the training effect was selective to semantic processing. * Corresponding author. Department of Psychology, Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan 52900, Israel. Tel.: þ972 3 5318171; fax: þ972 3 5352184. E-mail address: michal.lavidor@gmail.com (M. Lavidor). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Neurolinguistics journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/ jneuroling 0911-6044/$ – see front matter Ó 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jneuroling.2013.05.003 Journal of Neurolinguistics 26 (2013) 662–690