title: Computerized Working-Memory Training for Children Following Arterial Ischemic Stroke: A Pilot Study With Long-Term Follow-Up.
abstract: Cognitive deficits in the domains of working memory (WM) and executive function are well documented following childhood arterial ischemic stroke (AIS). However, there are currently no evidence-based cognitive interventions for this population. Computerized, implicit WM training has been demonstrated to generate generalized cognitive gains for children with WM and attention deficits and for adults following brain injury. This study used a pilot design to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of such an intervention program (Cogmed WM Training) for a childhood AIS population. Outcomes were measured via psychometric assessment at preintervention and postintervention and again at 1-year follow-up. At longitudinal follow-up, participants were found to have significant and persistent cognitive difficulties, particularly with attention and response inhibition. Following the computerized, implicit WM intervention, a significant improvement in phonological-loop WM was seen; however, this improvement was not maintained after 12 months. No additional significant improvements on standardized psychometric outcome measures were seen either immediately or at 12-month follow-up. Findings of this pilot study therefore do not currently support Cogmed as an effective intervention for children with AIS but highlight the need for further research, including randomized, controlled trials, to investigate cognitive interventions for the childhood AIS population.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Psychology , Royal Holloway University of London , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eve
authors.affiliation: b Research Department of Clinical, Educational, and Health Psychology , University College London , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Fiadhnait
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: O'Keeffe
authors.affiliation: c Institute of Child Health , University College London , London , United Kingdom.|d Department of Clinical Neuropsychology , Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Simren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jhuty
authors.affiliation: c Institute of Child Health , University College London , London , United Kingdom.|d Department of Clinical Neuropsychology , Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Vijeya
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ganesan
authors.affiliation: a Department of Clinical Psychology , Royal Holloway University of London , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.affiliation: c Institute of Child Health , University College London , London , United Kingdom.|d Department of Clinical Neuropsychology , Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust , London , United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murphy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001288:Attention; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000523:psychology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D003198:Computer Simulation; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020521:Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology*
keywords: childhood stroke; cognitive rehabilitation; working-memory training