LearningRx Cognitive Training Effects in Children Ages 8-14: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Dick M Carpenter, Christina Ledbetter, Amy Lawson Moore, Dick M Carpenter, Christina Ledbetter, Amy Lawson Moore

Abstract

In a randomized controlled study, we examined the effects of a one-on-one cognitive training program on memory, visual and auditory processing, processing speed, reasoning, attention, and General Intellectual Ability (GIA) score for students ages 8-14. Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group to complete 60 h of cognitive training or to a wait-list control group. The purpose of the study was to examine changes in multiple cognitive skills after completing cognitive training with ThinkRx, a LearningRx program. Results showed statistically significant differences between groups on all outcome measures except for attention. Implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are examined.

© 2016 The Authors Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pictorial representation of The Learning Model
Figure 2
Figure 2
Example of a memory training procedure. Participants study a card for 3 s and then recall the numbers in the correct positions on the grid. Oral responses must be given in beat with the metronome. In this example, the response would be ‘Blank‐1‐blank‐3‐5‐blank‐7‐6‐0’
Figure 3
Figure 3
Distribution of change scores by group
Figure 4
Figure 4
Comparison of treatment and control group mean pretest and posttest scores on General Intellectual Ability (GIA)
Figure 5
Figure 5
Comparison of treatment and control group mean pretest and posttest scores on memory and logic and reasoning
Figure 6
Figure 6
Comparison of treatment and control group mean pretest and posttest scores on processing speed, visual processing, auditory processing, and attention
Figure 7
Figure 7
Example of a logic and reasoning training procedure. Participants must find a group of three cards where all of the card's features are the same or all different. In this example, the group includes the three cards with a vertical yellow cone, one small, one medium, and one large. All three cards share the same shape, color, and orientation, and all three cards are different sizes

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