Transferability of an executive function intervention in children with cerebral palsy: A randomized controlled trial

Aim

To evaluate the transfer effects of a home-based computerized executive function intervention on non-targeted cognitive functions (visual perception and memory), quality of life (QoL), and participation in children with cerebral palsy (CP), and to determine whether any improvements were maintained 9 months after the intervention.

Method

Sixty children with CP (aged 8–12 years) were randomly allocated to the intervention (15 females/15 males, mean age 10 years 4 months [SD = 1 years 8 months], age range 8–12 years) or waitlist (control) (15 females/15 males, mean age 10 years [SD = 1 years 9 months], age range 8–12 years) group. The intervention group underwent a home-based executive function intervention programme for 30 minutes per day, 5 days a week, for 12 weeks. All participants were assessed before the intervention, immediately after and 9 months after the intervention was completed.

Results

After the intervention was completed, performance in immediate verbal memory, verbal learning, and visual perception (object and picture recognition) was significantly better in the intervention group than in the waitlist (control) group. No improvements were found in visual memory, visuospatial perception, QoL, or participation after the intervention. Scores at the follow-up showed that any beneficial effects were not maintained 9 months after the intervention was completed.

Interpretation

A home-based computerized executive function intervention produced transfer effects on memory and visual perception immediately after the intervention in children with CP, although any beneficial effects were not sustained at the 9-month follow-up.