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A tablet computer-based cognitive training program for young children with cognitive impairment: A randomized
Eun Jae Ko1, In Young Sung2, Jin Sook Yuk3
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan.
Insights
This study shows that a tablet-based cognitive training program is effective for young children with cognitive impairment. The program improved cognitive function in children aged 18–36 months.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Technology
Background:
- Cognitive training typically targets older children and adults.
- Young children with cognitive impairment (18–36 months) have limited access to such interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the applicability and efficacy of a tablet computer-based cognitive training program for young children with cognitive impairment.
- To assess cognitive function improvements in toddlers using this novel approach.
Main Methods:
- Thirty-eight children (18–36 months cognitive age) were randomized into an intervention (tablet training) or control (traditional rehabilitation) group.
- Intervention involved 30-minute sessions, twice weekly for 12 weeks.
- Cognitive and functional assessments included BSID II, PEDI, LAP-TAB, ECBQ, and GAS.
Main Results:
- The tablet program was well-tolerated by all children.
- Significant improvements were observed in the intervention group for BSID II Mental Scale, PEDI social function, LAP-TAB (observation and manipulation), and GAS.
- These improvements remained significant after adjusting for pre-treatment scores and cognitive age.
Conclusions:
- Tablet-based cognitive training is a feasible and effective intervention for young children with cognitive impairment.
- The program demonstrated significant cognitive and functional gains in toddlers aged 18–36 months.
- While generally effective regardless of delay severity, severe impairment may correlate with less improvement in self-care skills.
Background:
Evidences suggest that cognitive training facilitates cognitive function, and most studies have targeted adults and children older than 4 years of age. This study investigated the applicability and efficacy of a tablet computer-based cognitive training program for young children with cognitive impairment of cognitive age between 18 and 36 months.
Methods:
Thirty-eight children were randomly assigned to the intervention (n = 20, administered a tablet computer-based cognitive training program, for 30 minutes per session and twice a week over a period of 12 weeks) and control (n = 18, received the traditional rehabilitation program) groups. Mental scale of Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID II), Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), interest/persistence domain of the Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery (LAP-TAB), Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire (ECBQ), and Goal Attainment Scale (GAS) were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of therapeutic intervention.
Results:
The tablet computer-based cognitive training program was applicable to all children in the intervention group without any problems including irritable behavior or obsession about a tablet computer. After 12 weeks, Mental scale of BSID II, PEDI (social function), LAB-TAB (observation), LAB-TAB (manipulation), and GAS showed statistically significant improvements in the intervention group, compared with the values in the control group (P < .05). After adjusting for the pre-treatment measurements and cognitive age, the tablet computer-based cognitive training program had significant effect on the post-treatment measurements of Mental scale of BSID II, PEDI (social function), LAB-TAB (observation), LAB-TAB (manipulation), and GAS (P < .05). There was no association between the change in the scores and the severity of cognitive delay in the most of the measurements, however, the self-care domain of PEDI showed a negative association with the severity of the cognitive delay (r = -0.462, P = .04).
Conclusions:
Application of a tablet computer-based cognitive training program was feasible and showed improvements in cognitive function in young children with cognitive impairment of cognitive age between 18 and 36 months, regardless of the severity of the cognitive delay. But severe cognitive delay can be related with less improvement in the self-care domain of PEDI.
Trial Registration Number:
https://cris.nih.go.kr (KCT0002889).
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