Design and evaluation of a serious game for developmental dyscalculia remediation

Recent research has focused on identifying risk factors for developmental dyscalculia (DD) and designing effective interventions. Early-stage interventions have shown greater efficacy than those applied later. Moreover, digital and gamified programs have demonstrated benefits for children with mathematical learning difficulties. However, no studies to date have evaluated early interventions in Spanish children with DD. This study aimed to design and assess a computer-based serious game targeting basic numerical and arithmetic skills in Spanish-speaking children at the onset of primary education. Forty-two children participated: 19 with DD (mean age = 8.06 ± 0.87 years) and 23 typically developing peers (TD group; mean age = 7.76 ± 0.46 years). The DD group underwent intensive training focused on numerical representation, mental number line development, and arithmetic reasoning. After four months, the DD group showed significant improvements in mental calculation, number line representation, base-10 understanding, word problem solving, and transcoding. The TD group showed no significant changes. These findings support the efficacy of early, intensive, gamified interventions targeting foundational numerical and arithmetic skills in improving mathematical performance in children with DD.