[Cognitive stimulation in children with cerebral palsy]

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pediatrics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Cerebral palsy (CP) frequently involves cognitive impairments affecting attention, visuoperception, executive functions, and working memory.
• Cognitive deficits in children with CP can significantly impact their daily functioning and learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of a cognitive stimulation treatment program on the cognitive abilities of children diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
• To assess improvements in specific cognitive domains following targeted intervention.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 15 children with cerebral palsy (mean age 8.80 ± 2.51 years), classified by Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels I-V, participated.
• Cognitive functions were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-IV) and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT-II).
• Parent and teacher-reported executive function and behavioral changes were evaluated using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) and Conners rating scales. A 8-week cognitive stimulation program was administered (2 hours/week).

Main Results:

• A statistically significant improvement was observed in the perceptive reasoning index of the WISC-IV post-intervention.
• No significant changes were noted in Conners' or BRIEF scores before and after the cognitive stimulation treatment.
• No significant differences in WISC-IV outcomes were found based on sex or GMFCS level.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive rehabilitation through a structured stimulation program can enhance cognitive performance in children with cerebral palsy.
• The study highlights the potential benefits of targeted cognitive interventions for improving specific cognitive functions in this population.