title: Feasibility and efficacy of a computer-based intervention aimed at preventing reading decoding deficits among children undergoing active treatment for medulloblastoma: results of a randomized trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the feasibility of a computer-based reading intervention completed by patients diagnosed with a brain tumor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized to the intervention (n = 43) or standard of care group (n = 38). The intervention consisted of 30 sessions using Fast ForWord® exercises in a game-like format. Change in reading decoding scores over time since diagnosis was examined. Gender, race, parent education, parent marital status, and age at diagnosis were examined as covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  17 patients (39.5%) were able to complete the target goal of 30 intervention sessions. Females had significantly greater training time than males (p = .022). Age at diagnosis was associated with average training time/session for females (r = .485, p = .041). No significant differences were found in reading scores between the randomized groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study was well accepted by families and adherence by patients undergoing radiation therapy for medulloblastoma was moderate. Suggestions for improved methodology are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Mail Stop 740, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, USA. shawna.palmer@stjude.org.
authors.forename: Shawna L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Leigh
authors.forename: Susan C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Ellison
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Onar-Thomas
authors.forename: Shengjie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Qaddoumi
authors.forename: Gregory T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Cynthia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wetmore
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Broniscer
authors.forename: Amar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gajjar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004411:Dyslexia, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008527:Medulloblastoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000628:therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011932:Reading; D012737:Sex Factors; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: academic functioning; cancer and oncology; children; cognitive assessment; intervention outcome; longitudinal research; neuropsychology