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Game-based cognitive training and its impact on executive functions and math performance: A randomized controlled
Alanny Nunes de Santana1, Antonio Roazzi2, Alena Pimentel Mello Cabral Nobre3
1Universidade Estadual da Paraíba-UEPB, Campina Grande 58429-500, Brazil.
The Cucca Curiosa intervention improved executive functions (EFs) and math skills in children aged 7-10. EFs are key to boosting academic performance, showing the importance of targeted EFs development.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Executive functions (EFs) are crucial for cognitive development and academic success.
- Interventions targeting EFs aim to improve both direct cognitive skills and indirectly related academic performance.
- Understanding near-transfer (EFs improvement) and far-transfer (academic improvement) effects is vital for intervention design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the near-transfer (EFs improvement) and far-transfer (mathematics improvement) effects of the Cucca Curiosa intervention.
- To assess the impact of the intervention on Brazilian children aged 7 to 10 years.
- To explore the mediating role of EFs in the relationship between the intervention and mathematical performance.
Main Methods:
- A stratified trial with 112 children aged 7-10, randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or control group (CG).
- The EG participated in a 1-week Cucca Curiosa program (5 sessions, ~13 min each).
- Cognitive and mathematics assessments (NEUPSILIN-Inf, FDT, Day-Night Stroop, TEMA) were administered pre- and post-intervention.
Main Results:
- The Cucca Curiosa intervention significantly improved executive functions and mathematics performance in children in the short term.
- Mediation analysis confirmed that improvements in EFs were essential mediators for enhanced mathematical performance.
- The findings highlight the direct link between enhanced EFs and better academic outcomes in mathematics.
Conclusions:
- The Cucca Curiosa intervention demonstrates short-term efficacy in improving both executive functions and mathematics skills in children.
- Executive functions play a critical mediating role in enhancing academic performance, underscoring the value of EFs-focused interventions.
- Further research is needed to examine long-term effects, transferability to other skills, and potential clinical applications.
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