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Rodríguez-Prieto P, Simpson IC, Gomez-Baya D, García de la Cadena C, Ruiz-Aranda D, Ibáñez-Alfonso JA. Neuropsychological Stimulation Program for Children from Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:596. [PMID: 38470707 PMCID: PMC10931306 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12050596] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Guatemala remains one of the poorest countries in Central America and suffers from high rates of social inequality and violence. In addition to the negative impact that two years without attending school has had on Guatemalan children due to the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, this unfavourable socioeconomic context poses a risk to children's emotional and cognitive development. This work presents a protocol for implementing a cognitive and emotional stimulation program aimed at increasing the academic performance of these children and consequently improving their quality of life. METHODS The protocol proposes the implementation of a randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of a 24-session-long stimulation program. It targets the cognitive functions of attention, language, executive functions, and social cognition, using the digital neurorehabilitation platform NeuronUP. The participants (n = 480) will be randomly assigned to an Experimental or Control group. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will be carried out, together with a follow-up in the next academic year, in which both groups will change roles. Results will be compared for the first and second years, looking for differences in academic and cognitive performance between groups. DISCUSSION Mid- and long-term outcomes are still unknown, but effective interventions based on this protocol are expected to facilitate the following benefits for participants: (1) improved cognitive and emotional development; (2) improved academic performance; (3) improved well-being. We expect to create a validated neuropsychological stimulation program that could be applied in similar socioeconomically disadvantaged contexts around the world to help these children improve their life chances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Rodríguez-Prieto
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Spain; (P.R.-P.); (D.R.-A.)
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Calle Escritor Castilla Aguayo n°4, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ian Craig Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Campus Universitario de Cartuja, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain;
| | - Diego Gomez-Baya
- Department of Social, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Campus de El Carmen, University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain;
| | - Claudia García de la Cadena
- Department of Neuropsychology, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Calle 11, Zona 15, Post n° 82, Guatemala City 01901, Guatemala;
| | - Desirée Ruiz-Aranda
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Spain; (P.R.-P.); (D.R.-A.)
| | - Joaquín A. Ibáñez-Alfonso
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Avda. de las Universidades s/n, 41704 Dos Hermanas, Spain; (P.R.-P.); (D.R.-A.)
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Calle Escritor Castilla Aguayo n°4, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
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Company-Córdoba R, Accerenzi M, Simpson IC, Ibáñez-Alfonso JA. ‘Mens sana in corpore Sano’: Home food consumption implications over child cognitive performance in vulnerable contexts. Front Psychol 2022; 13:994399. [PMID: 36389522 PMCID: PMC9665114 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.994399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Diet directly affects children’s physical and mental development. Nonetheless, how food insecurity and household food consumption impact the cognitive performance of children at risk of social exclusion remains poorly understood. In this regard, children in Guatemala face various hazards, mainly related to the socioeconomic difficulties that thousands of families have in the country. The main objective of this study was to analyze the differences in cognitive performance considering food insecurity and household food consumption in a sample of rural and urban Guatemalan children and adolescents at risk of social exclusion. Child cognitive performance was assessed in 134 children and adolescents (age M = 11.37; SD = 3.54) from rural and urban settings. Language, attention, and executive functions were assessed using neuropsychological tasks. Differences in cognitive performance in each level of food insecurity and household diet consumption were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. A stepwise multivariate regression analysis was conducted to determine which factors may influence cognitive scores. The results showed that rural and urban groups did not differ in terms of food insecurity. However, considering just rural areas, differences were found between groups with food security and insecurity in attention and executive function tasks. Moreover, differences were found in food consumption for certain groups of food (e.g., meat, U = 1,146, p < 0.001, g = 0.72). Regarding regressions, protein food consumption (e.g., meat and fish), which is related to having a more balanced diet, was a relevant factor in executive performance. Contrary to what we expected, performance in attentional tasks was not related to the consumption of any food group. These findings could help politicians and decision-makers to select actions focused on improving diet balance and food security in families at risk of social exclusion. It is necessary to carry out more specific studies on the factors related to diet that affect the cognitive development of minors at risk of social exclusion. In addition, it is necessary to study the implementation of alternative interventions that include low-cost nutrients, thus ensuring that minors have access to a more balanced diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalba Company-Córdoba
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Michela Accerenzi
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ian Craig Simpson
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Joaquín A. Ibáñez-Alfonso
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Seville, Spain
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, Córdoba, Spain
- *Correspondence: Joaquín A. Ibáñez-Alfonso,
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García-Navarro C, Company-Córdoba R, Sianes A, Ibáñez-Alfonso JA. Cognitive Intervention Programs in Minors Belonging to Disadvantaged Contexts in Spain: A Systematic Review. CHILDREN 2022; 9:children9091306. [PMID: 36138615 PMCID: PMC9497464 DOI: 10.3390/children9091306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Research studies show a strong influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on human development, and how the exposure to risk contexts in the earliest stages translates into dangers in the cognitive development of children and adolescents. To alleviate these consequences and favour development, different cognitive training programs have contributed to this field by identifying the criteria of efficacy. This systematic review identifies and synthesizes the evidence of cognitive intervention studies implemented with psychosocial risk groups carried out in Spain. The search strategy was adapted to different databases. Only studies published in English or Spanish and developed in Spain that included interventions applied in populations aged 5 to 18 years with a low SES were included. The analysis of the literature showed nine interventions that indicated an improvement in those cognitive functions worked with low SES children. The cognitive domains that most worked were executive functions, followed by social cognition and language. After reviewing the available literature, a clear scarcity of interventions carried out in Spain was observed. Variables such as age, cognitive functions or personal vulnerability were identified as factors to be taken into account in future lines of research due to their influence on minors. These findings indicate the relevance of this review to help decision-making in relation to the actions to be carried out by the competent bodies in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen García-Navarro
- Research Institute on Policies for Social Transformation, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rosalba Company-Córdoba
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Antonio Sianes
- Research Institute on Policies for Social Transformation, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-957-222-100 (ext. 2220)
| | - Joaquín A. Ibáñez-Alfonso
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain
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Petoft A, Abbasi M, Zali A. Toward children's cognitive development from the perspective of neurolaw: implications of Roper v Simmons. PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY, AND LAW : AN INTERDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL OF THE AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION OF PSYCHIATRY, PSYCHOLOGY AND LAW 2022; 30:144-160. [PMID: 36950188 PMCID: PMC10026748 DOI: 10.1080/13218719.2021.2003267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
After reaching the age of criminal responsibility, children are deemed capable of having committed criminal offenses. In this regard, the level of criminal responsibility depends on cognitive development and the type of offense committed. Cognitive development is a process of the growth of perception, thinking and reasoning in children. This concept is frequently referred to in cognitive neuroscience literature. Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roper v Simmons has substantially changed attitudes toward juvenile delinquency, considering the fact that cognitive development continues until early adulthood. The present study attempts to scrutinize this case and explain cognitive development by its factors from an interdisciplinary perspective, combining methods and theories from neuroscience and criminal law.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arian Petoft
- Medical Ethics and Law Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Abbasi
- Medical Ethics and Law Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Zali
- Functional Neurosurgery Research Center, Shohada Tajrish Comprehensive Neurosurgical Center of Excellence, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Moreno M, Thommen E, Morán E, Guidetti M. Communicative Functions in Children Raised in Three Different Social Contexts in Colombia: The Key Issue of Joint Attention. Front Psychol 2021; 12:642242. [PMID: 34335360 PMCID: PMC8320324 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.642242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Children’s sociocultural experiences vary around the world. Colombia is a South American country where the differences between socioeconomic statuses (SES) are huge. In this study, through the ECSP-E Scale, translated to Spanish and validated for linguistic and cultural equivalence, the development of three communicative functions was evaluated through an interactive sociopragmatic approach. The participants comprised 36 24-month-old children, raised in three different social contexts in Colombia, with the goal of comparing them across groups of SES. The lowest SES group sample subjects were representative of extreme poverty and members of an ethnic group, the Wayuú. Results for the communicative functions, namely social interaction (SI), joint attention (JA), and behavior regulation (BR), showed that the only function with no significant differences across SES was joint attention. This supports the hypothesis that the development of this function may be universal, in light of the fact that the Wayuú not only differed from other subjects in terms of their socioeconomic status but also in their culture. Higher SES was related to better social interaction, while Low SES was associated with better behavior regulation than their High SES peers. Consequently, results are discussed considering socioeconomic and cultural differences in the development of communication and social interactions, leading us to reexamine the paradigms, theories, and practices that are used when observing children raised in very poor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayilín Moreno
- Research Group in Psychology, Cognition, Communication and Development (CCD), Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Evelyne Thommen
- Haute École de Travail Social et de la Santé (HETSL), University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Elianne Morán
- Research Group in Psychology, Cognition, Communication and Development (CCD), Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Michèle Guidetti
- Cognition, Langues, Langage, Ergonomie (CLLE), Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UT2J, Toulouse, France
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Ibáñez-Alfonso JA, Company-Córdoba R, García de la Cadena C, Simpson IC, Rivera D, Sianes A. Normative Data for Ten Neuropsychological Tests for the Guatemalan Pediatric Population Updated to Account for Vulnerability. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11070842. [PMID: 34201999 PMCID: PMC8301765 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11070842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Guatemalan pediatric population is affected by a high incidence of poverty and violence. The previous literature showed that these experiences may ultimately impact cognitive performance. The aim of this article is to update the standardized scores for ten neuropsychological tests commonly used in Guatemala considering vulnerability. A total of 347 healthy children and adolescents from 6 to 17 years of age (M = 10.83, SD = 3) were assessed, controlling for intelligence, mental health and neuropsychological history. The standard scores were created using multiple linear regression and standard deviations from residual values. The predictors included were the following: age, age squared (age2), mean parental education (MPE), mean parental education squared (MPE2), gender, and vulnerability, as well as their interaction. The vulnerability status was significant in the scores for language, attention and executive functions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that includes the condition of vulnerability in the calculation of neuropsychological standard scores. The utility of this update is to help in the early detection of special needs in this disadvantaged population, promoting more accurate interventions in order to alleviate the negative effects that living in vulnerable conditions has on children and adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín A. Ibáñez-Alfonso
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.I.-A.); (R.C.-C.)
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Rosalba Company-Córdoba
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.I.-A.); (R.C.-C.)
- ETEA Foundation, Development Institute of Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Ian C. Simpson
- Human Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychology, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 41704 Sevilla, Spain; (J.A.I.-A.); (R.C.-C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Diego Rivera
- Department of Health Sciences, Public University of Navarre, 31006 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Antonio Sianes
- Research Institute on Policies for Social Transformation, Universidad Loyola Andalucía, 14004 Córdoba, Spain;
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