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Bertoni S, Franceschini S, Mancarella M, Puccio G, Ronconi L, Marsicano G, Gori S, Campana G, Facoetti A. Action video games and posterior parietal cortex neuromodulation enhance both attention and reading in adults with developmental dyslexia. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:bhae152. [PMID: 38610090 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The impact of action video games on reading performance has been already demonstrated in individuals with and without neurodevelopmental disorders. The combination of action video games and posterior parietal cortex neuromodulation by a transcranial random noise stimulation could enhance brain plasticity, improving attentional control and reading skills also in adults with developmental dyslexia. In a double blind randomized controlled trial, 20 young adult nonaction video game players with developmental dyslexia were trained for 15 h with action video games. Half of the participants were stimulated with bilateral transcranial random noise stimulation on the posterior parietal cortex during the action video game training, whereas the others were in the placebo (i.e. sham) condition. Word text reading, pseudowords decoding, and temporal attention (attentional blink), as well as electroencephalographic activity during the attentional blink, were measured before and after the training. The action video game + transcranial random noise stimulation group showed temporal attention, word text reading, and pseudoword decoding enhancements and P300 amplitude brain potential changes. The enhancement in temporal attention performance was related with the efficiency in pseudoword decoding improvement. Our results demonstrate that the combination of action video game training with parietal neuromodulation increases the efficiency of visual attention deployment, probably reshaping goal-directed and stimulus-driven fronto-parietal attentional networks interplay in young adults with neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bertoni
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Piazzale Sant'Agostino 2, Bergamo 24129, Italy
| | - Sandro Franceschini
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua 35131, Italy
| | - Martina Mancarella
- Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leopold Vanderkelenstraat 32, Leuven 3000, Belgium
| | - Giovanna Puccio
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua 35131, Italy
| | - Luca Ronconi
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, Milan 20132, Italy
| | - Gianluca Marsicano
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Viale Rasi e Spinelli 176, Cesena 47521, Italy
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Viale Berti Pichat 5, Bologna 40121, Italy
| | - Simone Gori
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Piazzale Sant'Agostino 2, Bergamo 24129, Italy
| | - Gianluca Campana
- PercUp Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua 35131, Italy
| | - Andrea Facoetti
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, Padua 35131, Italy
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Bertoni S, Andreola C, Mascheretti S, Franceschini S, Ruffino M, Trezzi V, Molteni M, Sali ME, Salandi A, Gaggi O, Palazzi C, Gori S, Facoetti A. Action video games normalise the phonemic awareness in pre-readers at risk for developmental dyslexia. NPJ SCIENCE OF LEARNING 2024; 9:25. [PMID: 38514689 PMCID: PMC10957868 DOI: 10.1038/s41539-024-00230-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Action video-games (AVGs) could improve reading efficiency, enhancing not only visual attention but also phonological processing. Here we tested the AVG effects upon three consolidated language-based predictors of reading development in a sample of 79 pre-readers at-risk and 41 non-at-risk for developmental dyslexia. At-risk children were impaired in either phonemic awareness (i.e., phoneme discrimination task), phonological working memory (i.e., pseudoword repetition task) or rapid automatized naming (i.e., RAN of colours task). At-risk children were assigned to different groups by using an unequal allocation randomization: (1) AVG (n = 43), (2) Serious Non-Action Video Game (n = 11), (3) treatment-as-usual (i.e., speech therapy, n = 11), and (4) waiting list (n = 14). Pre- and post-training comparisons show that only phonemic awareness has a significantly higher improvement in the AVG group compared to the waiting list, the non-AVG, and the treatment-as-usual groups, as well as the combined active groups (n = 22). This cross-modal plastic change: (i) leads to a recovery in phonemic awareness when compared to the not-at-risk pre-readers; (ii) is present in more than 80% of AVG at-risk pre-readers, and; (iii) is maintained at a 6-months follow-up. The present findings indicate that this specific multisensory attentional training positively affects how phonemic awareness develops in pre-readers at risk for developmental dyslexia, paving the way for innovative prevention programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bertoni
- Università di Bergamo, Department of Human and Social Sciences, Bergamo, Italy.
- Università di Padova, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, Padova, Italy.
| | - Chiara Andreola
- Université Paris Cité, Laboratoire de Psychologie de Développement et de l'Éducation de l'Enfant (LaPsyDÉ), UMR CNRS 8240, Paris, France
| | - Sara Mascheretti
- Università di Pavia, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Pavia, Italy
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Child Psychopathology Unit, Lecco, Italy
| | | | - Milena Ruffino
- ASST Valle Olona, Neuropsychiatric Unit, Saronno, Varese, Italy
| | - Vittoria Trezzi
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Child Psychopathology Unit, Lecco, Italy
| | - Massimo Molteni
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Child Psychopathology Unit, Lecco, Italy
| | - Maria Enrica Sali
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Child Psychopathology Unit, Lecco, Italy
| | - Antonio Salandi
- Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea, Bosisio Parini, Child Psychopathology Unit, Lecco, Italy
| | | | | | - Simone Gori
- Università di Bergamo, Department of Human and Social Sciences, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Andrea Facoetti
- Università di Padova, Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, Padova, Italy.
- Sigmund Freud University, Milano, Italy.
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Liu T, Zhang W, Liu T, Xiao Y, Xue L, Zhang X, Zhao J. Adults at low reading level are sluggish in disengaging spatial attention. Atten Percept Psychophys 2024; 86:326-338. [PMID: 37907730 DOI: 10.3758/s13414-023-02809-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of studies show that attentional shifting is a primary contributor during the process of learning to read. However, it remains unclear what is the relationship between attentional shifting and word-reading ability in adult readers whose reading skills have matured. More fundamentally, how attentional shifting affects individuals' reading ability remains poorly understood. To address these issues, we grouped adult readers by the level of Chinese character reading and examined the time course of attentional shifting by setting up multiple stimulus-onset asynchronies (SOAs) in the Posner cue-target paradigm. Based on the phonological mediation hypothesis, we also measured multiple abilities involving phonological processing (i.e., rapid automatic naming and phonological awareness). Results showed that compared with adults at the high reading level, adults at the low reading level showed a selective impairment of attentional disengagement. Rapid automatic naming of Chinese characters played a partially mediating role in the association between attentional shifting and word reading. These results provided evidence for the phonological mediation hypothesis, and suggest that attentional shifting affects word reading by influencing phonological processing in adult Chinese readers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongxin Liu
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318, Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318, Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318, Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Ying Xiao
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318, Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 311121, China
| | - Licheng Xue
- School of preschool education, Hangzhou Polytechnic, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoxian Zhang
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318, Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 311121, China
- Zhejiang Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory for Research in Early Development and Childcare, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Jing Hengyi School of Education, Hangzhou Normal University, No. 2318, Yuhangtang Rd, Hangzhou, 311121, China.
- Zhejiang Philosophy and Social Science Laboratory for Research in Early Development and Childcare, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.
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4
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Argilés M, González-Fortuny X, Fonts E, Sunyer-Grau B. Global visual attention SPAN in different video game genres. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21882. [PMID: 38072978 PMCID: PMC10710994 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49434-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Video games, specifically action video games, have been demonstrated to be a useful tool in improving certain visual aspects in the general population. Visual attention span, the ability to simultaneously process multiple distinct visual elements during a single fixation, has been shown to improve among action video game players. The goal of this study was to verify that visual attention span is better not only in action video games, but also in other video game genres such as sports simulators or role-playing games. A total of 41 participants, aged 18 to 40 years old, were asked about the type of video games they were playing, name and genre, and the frequency of play. Visual attention span was assessed in all participants. Participants were divided into 4 groups according to the genre of video game they played. The total percentage of letter identification in the visual attention span was not significantly different between groups. A significant difference was found in the sixth position letter, and the right hemifield performance between groups, especially in sports simulators and action video game participants who showed a better performance. The action video game group showed a significant correlation between visual attention span performance and weekly hours played. Playing regularly different genres other than action video games can contribute to raise visual attention resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Argilés
- Departament d'Òptica i Optometria (DOO), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Campus de Terrassa, Edifici TR8, C.Violinista Vellsolà, 37, 08222, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain.
- School of Optics and Optometry, Violinista Vellsolà, 37, 08222, Terrassa, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Xavier González-Fortuny
- Departament d'Òptica i Optometria (DOO), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Campus de Terrassa, Edifici TR8, C.Violinista Vellsolà, 37, 08222, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Optics and Optometry, Violinista Vellsolà, 37, 08222, Terrassa, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Elisabet Fonts
- Centre de la Image i Tecnologia Multimèdia, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bernat Sunyer-Grau
- Departament d'Òptica i Optometria (DOO), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, BarcelonaTech (UPC), Campus de Terrassa, Edifici TR8, C.Violinista Vellsolà, 37, 08222, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
- School of Optics and Optometry, Violinista Vellsolà, 37, 08222, Terrassa, Catalonia, Spain
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Rodríguez-Ferrer JM, Manzano-León A, Aguilar-Parra JM, Cangas A. Effectiveness of gamification and game-based learning in Spanish adolescents with dyslexia: A longitudinal quasi-experimental research. RESEARCH IN DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 2023; 141:104603. [PMID: 37741200 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gamification and game-based learning can provide motivating learning opportunities. The scientific literature suggests that these play strategies could be supportive tools for the learning of students with diagnosed dyslexia. AIMS This study compares the effectiveness of an educational gamification and game-based learning (GBL) methodology versus a transmissive methodology for the improvement of reading processes and academic performance in the subject of Spanish Language and Literature in Spanish high school students with dyslexia. METHODS AND PROCEDURES Longitudinal quasi-experimental research was conducted with control and experimental groups. Ninety students with a mean age of 14.22 years (SD = 0.95) participated in the study. The assessment instruments used were the PROLEC-SE reading process assessment battery and academic performance through subject grades. The intervention with the experimental group consisted of gamification and GBL of 15 one-hour sessions in which students' oral and written skills were worked with playful learning strategies. OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The results indicate that the experimental group had statistically significant improvement in their reading skills (η2g = 0.616) and academic performance, albeit less in pseudoword speed, compared to the control group (η2g = 0.197). CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The study highlights the usefulness of gamification and GBL as practical tools for meaningful learning in students with dyslexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Rodríguez-Ferrer
- Health Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain; Universidad Isabel I, www.ui1.es, España
| | - Ana Manzano-León
- Health Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain.
| | | | - Adolfo Cangas
- Health Research Centre, Department of Psychology, University of Almería, Almería, Spain
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Kristjánsson Á, Sigurdardottir HM. The Role of Visual Factors in Dyslexia. J Cogn 2023; 6:31. [PMID: 37397349 PMCID: PMC10312247 DOI: 10.5334/joc.287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
What are the causes of dyslexia? Decades of research reflect a determined search for a single cause where a common assumption is that dyslexia is a consequence of problems with converting phonological information into lexical codes. But reading is a highly complex activity requiring many well-functioning mechanisms, and several different visual problems have been documented in dyslexic readers. We critically review evidence from various sources for the role of visual factors in dyslexia, from magnocellular dysfunction through accounts based on abnormal eye movements and attentional processing, to recent proposals that problems with high-level vision contribute to dyslexia. We believe that the role of visual problems in dyslexia has been underestimated in the literature, to the detriment of the understanding and treatment of the disorder. We propose that rather than focusing on a single core cause, the role of visual factors in dyslexia fits well with risk and resilience models that assume that several variables interact throughout prenatal and postnatal development to either promote or hinder efficient reading.
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Affiliation(s)
- Árni Kristjánsson
- Icelandic Vision Lab, Department of Psychology, University of Iceland, IS
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7
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Kumar S, Jackson S, Petronzi D. A preliminary study into internet related addictions among adults with dyslexia. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0280555. [PMID: 36827334 PMCID: PMC9955639 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, studies have investigated associations between learning disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and the various types of internet addictions, ranging from general internet addiction (GIA) to specific internet addictions such as social media addiction (SMA) and internet gaming disorder (IGD). However, to date, no study has investigated such internet addictions among persons with dyslexia. The present study aimed to investigate whether differences exist between adults with dyslexia and controls in terms of GIA, SMA and IGD. A total of 141 adults with dyslexia and 150 controls (all UK based) were recruited. Controlling for age, gender, marital status, employment, and income levels, it was found that adults with dyslexia had higher levels of GIA and IGD compared to controls. However, these participants did not show any significant difference in terms of SMA. The results indicate that internet addictions may have a larger ambit for learning disorders beyond just ASD and ADHD and could be a hidden problem for these individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophie Jackson
- Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Dominic Petronzi
- School of Psychology, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
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8
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Previously Marzena Szkodo MOR, Micai M, Caruso A, Fulceri F, Fazio M, Scattoni ML. Technologies to support the diagnosis and/or treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders: A systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 145:105021. [PMID: 36581169 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.105021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a great interest in utilizing technology in mental health research. The rapid technological development has encouraged researchers to apply technology as a part of a diagnostic process or treatment of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). With the large number of studies being published comes an urgent need to inform clinicians and researchers about the latest advances in this field. Here, we methodically explore and summarize findings from studies published between August 2019 and February 2022. A search strategy led to the identification of 4108 records from PubMed and APA PsycInfo databases. 221 quantitative studies were included, covering a wide range of technologies used for diagnosis and/or treatment of NDDs, with the biggest focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The most popular technologies included machine learning, functional magnetic resonance imaging, electroencephalogram, magnetic resonance imaging, and neurofeedback. The results of the review indicate that technology-based diagnosis and intervention for NDD population is promising. However, given a high risk of bias of many studies, more high-quality research is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martina Micai
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Angela Caruso
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesca Fulceri
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Fazio
- Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics and Earth Sciences (MIFT), University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres, 31, 98166 Messina, Italy.
| | - Maria Luisa Scattoni
- Research Coordination and Support Service, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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9
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Bertoni S, Franceschini S, Campana G, Facoetti A. The effects of bilateral posterior parietal cortex tRNS on reading performance. Cereb Cortex 2022; 33:5538-5546. [PMID: 36336338 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhac440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
According to established cognitive neuroscience knowledge based on studies on disabled and typically developing readers, reading is based on a dual-stream model in which a phonological-dorsal stream (left temporo-parietal and inferior frontal areas) processes unfamiliar words and pseudowords, whereas an orthographic-ventral stream (left occipito-temporal and inferior frontal areas) processes known words. However, correlational neuroimaging, causal longitudinal, training, and pharmacological studies have suggested the critical role of visuo-spatial attention in reading development. In a double blind, crossover within-subjects experiment, we manipulated the neuromodulatory effect of a short-term bilateral stimulation of posterior parietal cortex (PPC) by using active and sham tRNS during reading tasks in a large sample of young adults. In contrast to the dual-stream model predicting either no effect or a selective effect on the stimulated phonological-dorsal stream (as well as to a general multisensory effect on both reading streams), we found that only word-reading performance improved after active bilateral PPC tRNS. These findings demonstrate a direct neural connectivity between the PPC, controlling visuo-spatial attention, and the ventral stream for visual word recognition. These results support a neurobiological model of reading where performance of the orthographic-ventral stream is boosted by an efficient deployment of visuo-spatial attention from bilateral PPC stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Bertoni
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
- University of Padua , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo , Bergamo 24129 , Italy
| | - Sandro Franceschini
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
- University of Padua , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
| | - Gianluca Campana
- PercUp Lab , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
- University of Padua , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
| | - Andrea Facoetti
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
- University of Padua , Department of General Psychology, , Padua 35131 , Italy
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Forné S, López-Sala A, Mateu-Estivill R, Adan A, Caldú X, Rifà-Ros X, Serra-Grabulosa JM. Improving Reading Skills Using a Computerized Phonological Training Program in Early Readers with Reading Difficulties. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11526. [PMID: 36141796 PMCID: PMC9517531 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, there has been a big effort to identify risk factors for reading difficulties and to develop new methodologies to help struggling readers. It has been shown that early intervention is more successful than late intervention, and that intensive training programs can benefit children with reading difficulties. The aim of our study is to investigate the effectiveness of an intensive computerized phonological training program designed to improve reading performance in a sample of children with reading difficulties at the early stages of their reading learning process. Thirty-two children with reading difficulties were randomly assigned to one of the two intervention groups: RDIR (children with reading difficulties following a computerized intensive remediation strategy) (n = 20) (7.01 ± 0.69 years), focused on training phonemic awareness, decoding and reading fluency through the computational training; and RDOR (children with reading difficulties following an ordinary remediation strategy) (n = 12) (6.92 ± 0.82 years), which consisted of a reinforcement of reading with a traditional training approach at school. Normal readers (NR) were assigned to the control group (n = 24) (7.32 ± 0.66 years). Our results indicate that both the RDIR and RDOR groups showed an increased reading performance after the intervention. However, children in the RDIR group showed a stronger benefit than the children in the RDOR group, whose improvement was weaker. The control group did not show significant changes in reading performance during the same period. In conclusion, results suggest that intensive early intervention based on phonics training is an effective strategy to remediate reading difficulties, and that it can be used at school as the first approach to tackle such difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Forné
- Department of Psychiatry and Legal Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Anna López-Sala
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Roger Mateu-Estivill
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ana Adan
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Caldú
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Xavier Rifà-Ros
- Department of Cognition, Development and Educational Psychology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Cognition and Brain Plasticity Unit, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute, 08908 L’Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Josep M. Serra-Grabulosa
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
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11
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Franceschini S, Bertoni S, Puccio G, Gori S, Termine C, Facoetti A. Visuo-spatial attention deficit in children with reading difficulties. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13930. [PMID: 35978017 PMCID: PMC9385647 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16646-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although developmental reading disorders (developmental dyslexia) have been mainly associated with auditory-phonological deficits, recent longitudinal and training studies have shown a possible causal role of visuo-attentional skills in reading acquisition. Indeed, visuo-attentional mechanisms could be involved in the orthographic processing of the letter string and the graphemic parsing that precede the grapheme-to-phoneme mapping. Here, we used a simple paper-and-pencil task composed of three labyrinths to measure visuo-spatial attention in a large sample of primary school children (n = 398). In comparison to visual search tasks requiring visual working memory, our labyrinth task mainly measures distributed and focused visuo-spatial attention, also controlling for sensorimotor learning. Compared to typical readers (n = 340), children with reading difficulties (n = 58) showed clear visuo-spatial attention impairments that appear not linked to motor coordination and procedural learning skills implicated in this paper and pencil task. Since visual attention is dysfunctional in about 40% of the children with reading difficulties, an efficient reading remediation program should integrate both auditory-phonological and visuo-attentional interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Franceschini
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy. .,Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy.
| | - Sara Bertoni
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy.,Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Giovanna Puccio
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy
| | - Simone Gori
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Cristiano Termine
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Insubria, Varese, Italy
| | - Andrea Facoetti
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Via Venezia 8, 35131, Padua, Italy.
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Chan AS, Lee TL, Sze SL, Yang NS, Han YMY. Eye-tracking training improves the learning and memory of children with learning difficulty. Sci Rep 2022; 12:13974. [PMID: 35977994 PMCID: PMC9383673 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18286-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Children who experience difficulty in learning at mainstream schools usually are provided with remediation classes after school to facilitate their learning. The present study aims to evaluate an innovative eye-tracking training as possible alternative remediation. Our previous findings showed that children who received eye-tracking training demonstrated improved attention and inhibitory control, and the present randomized controlled study aims to evaluate if eye-tracking training can also enhance the learning and memory of children. Fifty-three primary school students with learning difficulty (including autism spectrum disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, specific learning disorder, specific language impairment and borderline intellectual functioning) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the Eye-tracking Training group or the after-school remediation class. They were assessed on their learning and memory using the Hong Kong List Learning Test before and after 8-month training. Twenty weekly parallel sessions of training, 50 min per session, were provided to each group. Children who received the eye-tracking training, not those in the control group, showed a significant improvement in memory as measured by the delayed recall. In addition, the Eye-Tracking Training group showed significantly faster learning than the control group. Also, the two groups showed a significant improvement in their reading abilities. In sum, eye-tracking training may be effective training for enhancing the learning and memory of children with learning difficulties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnes S Chan
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China. .,Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Tsz-Lok Lee
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Sophia L Sze
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Natalie S Yang
- Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Research Center for Neuropsychological Well-Being, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yvonne M Y Han
- Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, China
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Ono T, Sakurai T, Kasuno S, Murai T. Novel 3-D action video game mechanics reveal differentiable cognitive constructs in young players, but not in old. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11751. [PMID: 35864114 PMCID: PMC9304325 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15679-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Video game research predominantly uses a “one game-one function” approach—researchers deploy a constellation of task-like minigames to span multiple domains or consider a complex video game to essentially represent one cognitive construct. To profile cognitive functioning in a more ecologically valid setting, we developed a novel 3-D action shooter video game explicitly designed to engage multiple cognitive domains. We compared gameplay data with results from a web-based cognitive battery (WebCNP) for 158 participants (aged 18–74). There were significant negative main effects on game performance from age and gender, even when controlling for prior video game exposure. Among younger players, game mechanics displayed significant and unique correlations to cognitive constructs such as aim accuracy with attention and stealth with abstract thinking within the same session. Among older players the relation between game components and cognitive domains was unclear. Findings suggest that while game mechanics within a single game can be deconstructed to correspond to existing cognitive metrics, how game mechanics are understood and utilized likely differs between the young and old. We argue that while complex games can be utilized to measure distinct cognitive functions, the translation scheme of gameplay to cognitive function should not be one-size-fits-all across all demographics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomihiro Ono
- Department of Psychiatry, Kyoto University Hospital, Yoshida konoe cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan. .,BonBon Inc., Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- BonBon Inc., Kyoto, Japan.,Department of Drug Discovery Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | | | - Toshiya Murai
- Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
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Leung TW, Cheong AMY, Chan HHL. Deficits in the Magnocellular Pathway of People with Reading Difficulties. CURRENT DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS REPORTS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s40474-022-00248-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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15
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Dissociating Executive Function and ADHD Influences on Reading Ability in Children with Dyslexia. Cortex 2022; 153:126-142. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cortex.2022.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Towards Consensus on Good Practices for the Use of New Technologies for Intervention and Support in Developmental Dyslexia: A Delphi Study Conducted among Italian Specialized Professionals. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:children8121126. [PMID: 34943322 PMCID: PMC8700653 DOI: 10.3390/children8121126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The use of new technologies for intervention in developmental dyslexia is steadily growing. In order to better understand the needs, the expectations, and the attitudes of Italian expert health professionals concerning such technologies, a national survey was conducted applying the Delphi methodology. Ad-hoc questionnaires were sent out to a group of eighteen experts over three successive rounds, and anonymously collected responses were aggregated and shared with the group after each round, aiming to reach a consensus on the proposed response. The goal was to define a series of statements that could form the basis for international "good practices" in the use of technologies for intervention to support dyslexia in children and adolescents. In the first round, the experts' general opinions were collected with both multiple choice and open questions, and in the second round consensus was assessed on a series of statements based on the first replies. The cut-off of 75% consensus on each statement was reached after three rounds. Fifteen experts completed all the rounds of the process, and a final version of the statements regarding good practice in the use of technologies for dyslexia could be defined.
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