Processing speed training in children and adolescents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A brief intervention aimed at improving processing speed abilities in children and adolescents who have conditions associated with white matter integrity.
IRAS ID
240283
Contact name
Lee Gamman
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 3 days
Research summary
This study will explore whether a processing speed training intervention can help to improve global processing speed abilities in children and adolescents with conditions that affect white matter integrity. Processing speed can be defined as the time it takes an individual to complete a cognitive task. White matter disorders will include clinically suspected or diagnosed fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD), children who have had treatment for a brain tumour, children born prematurely, cerebral palsy, diffuse axonal brain injury, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and periventricular leukomalacia (PVL.).
Children and adolescents with suspected white matter damage can experience a number of cognitive impairments including slower processing speed abilities. There is currently limited research that explores whether interventions aimed at improving this ability are effective at increasing processing speed. The current study aims to recruit up to 12 children/adolescents to undergo a processing speed training which involves playing computerised and non-computerised games that require participants to increase their speed in each game. They will also be asked to complete a computerised measure of processing speed, three times a week. This study is entirely voluntary and participants will be provided with the information sheet by medical clinicians involved in their care.
REC name
London - Brent Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
18/LO/1045
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion