Nisha Phakey1, Suvasini Sharma2, Divyani Garg3, Sharmila B Mukherjee1, Savita Sapra4, Ashima Nehra Wadhawan5, Garima Shukla5. 1. Department of Pediatrics (Neurology Division), Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, India. 2. Department of Pediatrics (Neurology Division), Lady Hardinge Medical College and Kalawati Saran Children's Hospital, New Delhi, India. sharma.suvasini@gmail.com. 3. Department of Neurology, Lady Hardinge Medical College and Smt. Sucheta Kriplani Hospital, New Delhi, India. 4. Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. 5. Department of Neurology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: In this pilot study, the authors developed and evaluated a working memory intervention (WMI) using a combination of mobile phone-based application and an activity booklet, among children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention cognitive evaluation at 8 wk included: subtests comprising working memory index from Wechsler Intelligence Scale-IV, color cancellation task for sustained attention, and parent's rating from the Conners' ADHD/DSM-IV Scales of the Conners' Rating Scales-Revised. RESULTS: Fourteen children completed the intervention; one was lost to follow-up. Significant improvement in most working memory parameters occurred at 8 wk: digit span [scaled scores: median 7 (IQR 4-9) to 12 (IQR 9-14.25); p = 0.001]; letter-number sequencing [scaled scores: median 9 (IQR 5-10) to 11.5 (IQR 6.75-13); p = 0.03]; WMI [median 14 (IQR 9-18) to 22 (IQR 16.75-27); p = 0.001] and sustained attention [time for cancellation test improved from 95 (72-117) to 85 (63-98) s; p = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: This indigenous WMI was feasible and efficacious in improving working memory deficits in CWE in low-resource settings.
OBJECTIVES: In this pilot study, the authors developed and evaluated a working memory intervention (WMI) using a combination of mobile phone-based application and an activity booklet, among children with idiopathic generalized epilepsy. METHODS: Pre- and post-intervention cognitive evaluation at 8 wk included: subtests comprising working memory index from Wechsler Intelligence Scale-IV, color cancellation task for sustained attention, and parent's rating from the Conners' ADHD/DSM-IV Scales of the Conners' Rating Scales-Revised. RESULTS: Fourteen children completed the intervention; one was lost to follow-up. Significant improvement in most working memory parameters occurred at 8 wk: digit span [scaled scores: median 7 (IQR 4-9) to 12 (IQR 9-14.25); p = 0.001]; letter-number sequencing [scaled scores: median 9 (IQR 5-10) to 11.5 (IQR 6.75-13); p = 0.03]; WMI [median 14 (IQR 9-18) to 22 (IQR 16.75-27); p = 0.001] and sustained attention [time for cancellation test improved from 95 (72-117) to 85 (63-98) s; p = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: This indigenous WMI was feasible and efficacious in improving working memory deficits in CWE in low-resource settings.
Entities:
Keywords:
Children with epilepsy; Scholastic underachievement; Working memory deficits
Authors: Colin Reilly; Patricia Atkinson; Krishna B Das; Richard F M Chin; Sarah E Aylett; Victoria Burch; Christopher Gillberg; Rod C Scott; Brian G R Neville Journal: J Clin Exp Neuropsychol Date: 2015-04-29 Impact factor: 2.475