Understanding social cognition in children with cerebral palsy: exploring the relationship with executive functions
María García-Galant1,2, Montse Blasco1,2, Paula Moral-Salicrú1
1Grup de Neuropsicologia, Departament de Psicologia Clínica i Psicobiologia, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Casanova 143, 08036, Barcelona, Spain.
Insights
Cognitive interventions targeting executive functions (EF) can improve social cognition (SC) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). A home-based computerized EF program showed lasting benefits for SC skills, including affect recognition and theory of mind.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Psychology
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often exhibit social cognition (SC) difficulties, potentially linked to executive functioning (EF) deficits.
- While motor interventions are prevalent, the impact of cognitive interventions on SC in children with CP remains underexplored.
- Existing research indicates an association between EF and SC, crucial for social and community participation in individuals with CP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between SC and EF skills in children with CP.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a home-based computerized EF intervention, incorporating SC tasks, in improving SC in this population.
Main Methods:
- Sixty children with CP (ages 8-12) were assessed for SC and EF.
- Bivariate correlations and contingency tables analyzed the baseline relationship between SC and EF.
- Participants were matched and randomized into an intervention or control group for a 12-week home-based computerized EF program.
Main Results:
- Significant positive correlations were observed between SC and EF scores at baseline.
- The intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in Affect Recognition post-intervention, maintained at 9-month follow-up (moderate effect size).
- Long-term improvements in Theory of Mind were noted 9 months after the intervention.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms a strong association between SC and EF in children with CP.
- A home-based computerized cognitive intervention program effectively enhances SC in children with CP.
- Integrating SC tasks into EF interventions offers promising short- and long-term benefits for children with CP.
Abstract:
Children with Cerebral Palsy (CP) experience Social Cognition (SC) difficulties, which could be related to executive functioning. While motor interventions are common, there is limited knowledge about the impact of cognitive interventions on SC in this population. This study examined the relationship between SC and Executive Function (EF) skills and the effectiveness of an EF intervention that included some SC tasks for improving SC in children with CP. SC and EF domains were assessed in 60 participants with CP (30 females; 8-12 years). The relationship between SC and EF baseline scores was analyzed by bivariate correlations and contingency tables. Participants were matched by age, sex, motor ability, and intelligence quotient and randomized into intervention or control groups. The intervention group underwent a 12-week home-based computerized EF intervention. Analysis of covariance was used to examine differences in SC components between groups at post-intervention and 9 months after. Significant positive correlations were found between the SC and EF scores. The frequencies of impaired and average scores in SC were distributed similarly to the impaired and average scores in EFs. The intervention group showed significant improvements in Affect Recognition performance post-intervention, which were maintained at the follow-up assessment, with a moderate effect size. Long-term improvements in Theory of Mind were observed 9 months after.
Conclusions:
This study highlights the association between SC and EFs. A home-based computerized cognitive intervention program improves SC in children with CP. Including SC tasks in EF interventions may lead to positive short- and long-term effects for children with CP.
Clinical Trial Registration:
NCT04025749 retrospectively registered on 19 July 2019.
What Is Known:
• Executive functions and social cognition are associated with social and community participation in people with cerebral palsy. • A home-based computerized cognitive intervention can improve the executive functioning of children with cerebral palsy.
What Is New:
• Social cognition performance is related to core and higher-order executive functions. • A home-based computerized executive function intervention, including social cognition tasks, has positive short- and long-term effects on social cognition skills in children with cerebral palsy.
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