Cognitive Training for Visuospatial Processing in Children Aged 5½ to 6 Years Born Very Preterm With Working Memory...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Children born very preterm often exhibit executive function deficits, particularly in working memory and inhibition.
• Computerized cognitive training offers a potential avenue to enhance cognitive functions by leveraging neuroplasticity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the long-term impact of cognitive working memory training on visuospatial processing in very preterm children (5.5-6 years) with working memory impairments.

Main Methods:

• An open-label, randomized clinical trial (EPIREMED) involving 169 children born very preterm.
• Participants were allocated to either standard care or an 8-week cognitive training program (Cogmed software).
• Visuospatial index scores were assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 16 months post-intervention.

Main Results:

• No significant difference in visuospatial index scores was observed between the intervention and control groups at 12.9 months post-intervention.
• The intervention group showed a transient improvement in working memory index scores at 6 months, which was not sustained at 16 months.
• The cognitive training program did not yield lasting improvements in visuospatial processing or executive functions.

Conclusions:

• Cognitive working memory training demonstrated no lasting benefits for visuospatial processing in very preterm children.
• The study suggests limited long-term efficacy of this intervention for enhancing executive functions in this population.
• Transient improvements may be linked to the developmental trajectory of executive functions.