Cerebral Palsy
Conditions
Keywords
cerebral palsy, working memory, cognitive training
Brief summary
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood (2-3 per 1000 live born), and is frequently accompanied by cognitive impairments and behavioural problems. The present study is a controlled clinical trial, a multicenter-study involving three health regions, as well as the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Its primary research goal will be to evaluate the effects of computer-based cognitive training in children with CP. In addition, this study will be the first to conduct a comprehensive neuropsychological examination to improve our understanding of cognitive impairments as well as cognitive resources in CP children in Norway to aid in intervention planning.
Interventions
OTHERWorking memory training
The child will use the computer program at home under parental supervision for 25 sessions, each lasting 30-45 minutes and the family has 6 weeks to complete the training. Each session consists of 8 different tasks presented by an animated robot. The tasks all require the child to hold information in working memory and to manipulate the information.
Sponsors
Helse Sor-Ost
Sorlandet Hospital HF
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
7 Years to 15 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Cerebral Palsy * School age (7-15 years of age)
Exclusion criteria
* Not able to use computer, blind, deaf
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spatial span | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | The spatial span board from the Wechsler Memory scale 3ed. will represent our primary outcome measure. The total of forward and backward span will be used as primary outcome measure. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal working memory | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | The sum of letter-number sequencing and digit span (total raw scores) will be used as secondary outcome measures. |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder rating scale | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | To assess changes in symptoms of attention/hyperactivity problems after training. |
| Activity of daily life | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | Vineland adaptive behaviour scale is a semi-structured parental interview assessing daily life functioning. |
| Attention/executive functions assessed by parents | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | BRIEF is a parental questionnaire that assesses aspects of attention and executive function in daily life. |
Countries
Norway
Contacts
Primary ContactGro CC Lohaugen, Phd
Backup ContactJon S Skranes, Phd
Outcome results
None listed