title: Telerehabilitation in developmental dyslexia: methods of implementation and expected results.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Developmental Dyslexia is a disorder, highly frequent in the school population, for which the recommended rehabilitation procedures are not well defined. This study aimed to automatize reading decoding skills by using an innovative system for rehabilitation, based on a telerehabilitation method. It requires an intensive home-exercise with the supervision, by web, of the clinician. The study had three main aims: to diffuse knowledge on new methods for rehabilitation of reading difficulties; to verify whether an intensive and simplified exercise, targeted to the automation of reading, is suitable for different subgroups of dyslexic children; to define the treatment effects on basic cognitive functions underlying reading.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-five children, grouped according to the neuropsychological and anamnestic profiles, took part to the treatment by the software Reading Trainer®.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both speed and accuracy of reading decoding increased significantly after treatment, independently from the functional neuropsychological profile or the history of oral language delay. These changes were specific to decoding and not associated with improvements in reading comprehension or spelling skills. However, there was a "cascade effect" of the treatment efficacy on those basic cognitive functions considered precursors of the ability to read, with significant improvements in rapid lexical access, phonological processing and visual attention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides information on the efficacy of new tools for telerehabilitation of specific reading disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy - cpecini@fsm.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pecini
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Spoglianti
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Michetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonetti
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Di Lieto
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gasperini
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cristofani
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Margherita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozza
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brizzolara
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casalini
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mazzotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Renata
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salvadorini
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bargagna
authors.affiliation: Department of Developmental Neuroscience, IRCCS Stella Maris, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chilosi
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D004410:Dyslexia / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D011932:Reading; D000069350:Telerehabilitation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome