Computerized memory training leads to sustained improvement in visuospatial short-term memory skills in children with Down syndrome

Am J Intellect Dev Disabil. 2013 May;118(3):179-92. doi: 10.1352/1944-7558-118.3.179.

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of a computerized visuospatial memory training intervention on the memory and behavioral skills of children with Down syndrome. Teaching assistants were trained to support the delivery of a computerized intervention program to individual children over a 10-16 week period in school. Twenty-one children aged 7-12 years with Down syndrome were randomly allocated to either an intervention or waiting list control group. Following training, performance on trained and non-trained visuospatial short-term memory tasks was significantly enhanced for children in the intervention group. This improvement was sustained four months later. These results suggest that computerized visuospatial memory training in a school setting is both feasible and effective for children with Down syndrome.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Association Learning
  • Auditory Perception
  • Child
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction / methods*
  • Down Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Down Syndrome / psychology
  • Down Syndrome / therapy*
  • Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / methods*
  • England
  • Executive Function
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Memory, Short-Term*
  • Motion Perception*
  • Orientation*
  • Pattern Recognition, Visual*
  • Practice, Psychological
  • Psychomotor Performance*
  • Serial Learning
  • Software