Dyslexia
Conditions
Keywords
Working Memory Training, computerized, Dyslexia, Reading fluency, Reading comprehension
Brief summary
The main aim of this interventional study is to investigate whether the effects of computerized working memory training improves reading abilities for children, i.e. ages 9 - 16 years, diagnosed with dyslexia.
Detailed description
Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty which mainly affects the development of literacy and language related skills. It is characterized by difficulties with phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, processing speed and the automatic development of skills that may not match up to an individual's other cognitive abilities. Phonological processing deficit is well established as one of the main causes of dyslexia. Working memory (WM) is today considered to be a cognitive system that strongly relates to a person's ability to think and learn. Over the last decade an increasing body of evidence indicates that WM deficits may cause particular problems for individuals with dyslexia. This is consistent with many of the every day problems reported by dyslexics and those around them. WM deficits are frequent in children with reading deficits. A major question is whether the WM impairment is secondary to phonological core deficit affecting the phonological loop only, or caused by an additional deficit involving central executive. Exploratory findings from fMRI studies indicates that impaired WM processes in dyslexia have a unique neuronal signature which may be associated with central executive processes. However there are conflicting findings and further studies are needed. The children in the study, all diagnosed with dyslexia, will be divided into two subgroups (16/16 children). They are randomly allocated to either the adaptive training group or the treatment as usual control group after the baseline assessment. Both groups will meet for baseline testing and re-testing 4 weeks after completed training. Those that serve as non-trained controls will be offered to participate in training after completion of the study. The intervention in this study aim to increase WM of children with dyslexia. We hypothesise that intensive computerized working memory training will improve reading fluency, speed and comprehension for children with dyslexia.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALWorking 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 consist 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. Other name: Cogmed RoboMemo
Sponsors
Sorlandet Hospital HF
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
9 Years to 16 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Dyslexia
Exclusion criteria
* Mental retardation (IQ below 70)
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Reading fluency, comprehension and speed | Change from Baseline assessment to follow-up testing in 14 weeks | LOGOS (http://www.logos-test.no) is a standardized Norwegian computerized test for reading processes. 6 subtest; reading fluency, reading comprehension, word recognition, phonological reading, orthographic reading, rapid naming of common objects |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Working Memory Capacity | Change from Baseline assessment to follow-up testing in 14 week | WISC-IV: The sum of letter-number sequences and Digit Span, WMS-III Spatial Span, Språk 6-16 (Standardized Norwegian Screening-test for Language Impairment (Ottem &frost, 2011)Subtest: Sentence memory |
Other
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Executive function | Before and after training period of 5 weeks | The ADHD Rating Scale-IV |
Countries
Norway
Outcome results
None listed