Amanda Fuentes1, Elizabeth N Kerr2. 1. Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. 2. Department of Psychology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave., Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. Electronic address: elizabeth.kerr@sickkids.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To extend previous research documenting the benefits of working memory (WM) intervention (Cogmed) immediately post-intervention in children with epilepsy by assessing the 3-month maintenance effects. METHODS:Participants involved in a previous randomized clinical trial (RCT) were invited to participate if they completed Cogmed within the last 3months (n=15) and additional participants (n=13) were prospectively recruited. Standardized assessments of near-transfer effects (i.e., visual and auditory attention and WM) were completed prior to and immediately after intervention and at 3-month follow-up. An additional measure assessing the far-transfer effect of fluid reasoning was administered prior to intervention and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS: Participants exhibited gains in auditory and visual attention and WM immediately following intervention and gains were generally sustained at 3-month follow-up. Intervention did not improve visual-verbal WM or fluid reasoning. The clinical variables studied (i.e., age of seizure onset, seizure frequency, epilepsy duration, and overall intellectual functioning) did not elucidate reliable relationships with intervention. CONCLUSIONS:Working memory training is possibly efficacious in improving related skills which are maintained for 3months in children with active epilepsy. No transfer to fluid reasoning was documented. Further investigation by means of a large-scale RCT which includes a placebo and both objective and subjective measures of the impact of training on daily functioning is warranted.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: To extend previous research documenting the benefits of working memory (WM) intervention (Cogmed) immediately post-intervention in children with epilepsy by assessing the 3-month maintenance effects. METHODS:Participants involved in a previous randomized clinical trial (RCT) were invited to participate if they completed Cogmed within the last 3months (n=15) and additional participants (n=13) were prospectively recruited. Standardized assessments of near-transfer effects (i.e., visual and auditory attention and WM) were completed prior to and immediately after intervention and at 3-month follow-up. An additional measure assessing the far-transfer effect of fluid reasoning was administered prior to intervention and at 3-month follow-up. RESULTS:Participants exhibited gains in auditory and visual attention and WM immediately following intervention and gains were generally sustained at 3-month follow-up. Intervention did not improve visual-verbal WM or fluid reasoning. The clinical variables studied (i.e., age of seizure onset, seizure frequency, epilepsy duration, and overall intellectual functioning) did not elucidate reliable relationships with intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Working memory training is possibly efficacious in improving related skills which are maintained for 3months in children with active epilepsy. No transfer to fluid reasoning was documented. Further investigation by means of a large-scale RCT which includes a placebo and both objective and subjective measures of the impact of training on daily functioning is warranted.
Authors: Avani C Modi; Constance A Mara; Matthew Schmidt; Aimee W Smith; Luke Turnier; Noah Glaser; Shari L Wade Journal: Epilepsia Date: 2019-08-19 Impact factor: 5.864
Authors: Avani C Modi; Matthew Schmidt; Aimee W Smith; Luke Turnier; Noah Glaser; Shari L Wade Journal: Epilepsy Behav Date: 2017-06-07 Impact factor: 2.937
Authors: Maria Chiara Di Lieto; Chiara Pecini; Paola Brovedani; Giuseppina Sgandurra; Marta Dell'Omo; Anna Maria Chilosi; Andrea Guzzetta; Silvia Perazza; Elisa Sicola; Giovanni Cioni Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2021-01-20 Impact factor: 4.003