Cognitive-Based Training Research Articles

Assessing the feasibility of a classroom-based visual attention training program targeting academics for students with extremely low IQ

BackgroundThis feasibility study investigated the viability of implementing a cognitive-based training program (NeuroTracker) and assessing its potential effects on academic performance for adolescents with extremely low IQ.MethodsTwenty-six adolescents aged between 11 and 16 years with a Wechsler-based IQs in the extremely low range (MIQ = 56.00, SDIQ = 13.89) completed 15 training sessions on either the NeuroTracker or an active control task; math and reading performance were assessed using clinically validated instruments before and after training. Recruitment and retention rates, adherence, and properties of the academic measures were assessed.ResultsAll recruited participants completed 15 training sessions within a 6-week period. Eighty-three percent of participants meeting initial inclusion criteria completed all stages of the study from baseline to post-intervention assessments. Some limitations of the academic measures were identified.ConclusionsResults suggest that implementing NeuroTracker as a classroom-based intervention and using clinically validated outcome measures is feasible with this population.

Which cognitive training intervention can improve young drivers’ speed management on the road?

The current study examined the effectiveness of two cognitive based training methods, namely Feedback and Self-explanation in improving young drivers' speed management behaviour in the operational environment. Seventy-five participants, all provisional licence holders under the age of 25 years completed three on-road drives in an instrumented vehicle. In the first drive (baseline), participants randomly assigned to the Auditory Alert Feedback group were provided an auditory alert when they exceeded the posted speed limit. In the Combined Feedback group, participants following the baseline drive were provided feedback about the number of times they exceeded the speed limit, the financial penalties associated with such behaviour, and the safety implications. Participants in the Self-explanation group were asked to explain to themselves their performance, in terms of speed management following the baseline drive. Participants randomly assigned to the Control group experienced no such intervention. The results revealed in the test drive immediately after the baseline drive, and one week post baseline test drive, combined feedback was most effective in reducing the average speed and percentage of time speeding in both the low-speed (50 km/h) and high-speed (80 km/h) zones. Self-explanation with or without combined feedback produced better speed management than control and auditory alert feedback, but was found to be less effective than the combined feedback. These findings provide valuable insight into the effectiveness of cognitive-based training programmes such as Feedback and Self-explanation in improving young drivers' speed management behaviour. They also highlight the relative ineffectiveness of auditory alert feedback in improving young drivers’ speed management.

The Effect of Cognitive-Based Training on Young Drivers’ Speed Management Behavior: An On-Road Study

The aim of the present study was to examine the utility of two cognitive-based training methods, namely self-explanation and feedback (i.e., combined and auditory alert) on young novice drivers’ speed management behavior. Seventy-five young drivers, randomly allocated to five groups, completed three on-road drives in an instrumented vehicle. Four groups received training (e.g., combined feedback, auditory alert feedback, self-explanation, and self-explanation with combined feedback). The fifth group received no training, hence was the control. The results showed that combined feedback was the most successful in reducing the maximum speed travelled in the two speed zones under examination – 50km/h and 80km/h. These effects were present immediately following training as well as one week later. Surprisingly, the auditory alert feedback provided from technology tested in the present research, in some cases adversely affected young drivers’ speed management behavior. These findings have important implications for the development of a new approach to improve young drivers’ speed management behavior.

Synergistic effects of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognition, physiological markers, daily function, and quality of life in stroke survivors with cognitive decline: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundAerobic exercise and cognitive training have been effective in improving cognitive functions; however, whether the combination of these two can further enhance cognition and clinical outcomes in stroke survivors with cognitive decline remains unknown. This study aimed to determine the treatment effects of a sequential combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training on cognitive function and clinical outcomes.Methods/designStroke survivors (n = 75) with cognitive decline will be recruited and randomly assigned to cognitive training, aerobic exercise, and sequential combination of aerobic exercise and cognitive training groups. All participants will receive training for 60 minutes per day, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. The aerobic exercise group will receive stationary bicycle training, the cognitive training group will receive cognitive-based training, and the sequential group will first receive 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, followed by 30 minutes of cognitive training. The outcome measures involve cognitive functions, physiological biomarkers, daily function and quality of life, physical functions, and social participation. Participants will be assessed before and immediately after the interventions, and 6 months after the interventions. Repeated measures of analysis of variance will be used to evaluate the changes in outcome measures at the three assessments.DiscussionThis trial aims to explore the benefits of innovative intervention approaches to improve the cognitive function, physiological markers, daily function, and quality of life in stroke survivors with cognitive decline. The findings will provide evidence to advance post-stroke cognitive rehabilitation.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02550990. Registered on 6 September 2015.

The effect of cognitive-based training for the healthy older people: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundFrom the perspective of disease prevention, the enhancement of cognitive function among the healthy older people has become an important issue in many countries lately. This study aim to investigate the effect of cognitive-based training on the overall cognitive function, memory, attention, executive function, and visual-spatial ability of the healthy older people.MethodsCochrane, PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL of selected randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and previous systematic reviews were searched for eligible studies. The population focused on this study were healthy older people who participated in randomized controlled trials that investigated the effectiveness of cognitive-based training. The outcomes including change in overall cognitive function, memory, attention, executive function, and visual-spatial ability.ResultsWe collected a total of 31 RCTs, the results showed that cognitive-based training has a moderate effect on overall cognitive function (g = 0.419; 95%CI = 0.205–0.634) and executive function (g = 0.420; 95%CI = 0.239–0.602), and a small effect on the memory (g = 0.354; 95%CI = 0.244–0.465), attention (g = 0.218; 95%CI = 0.125–0.311), and visual-spatial ability (g = 0.183;95%CI = 0.015–0.352) in healthy older people. Subgroup analysis indicated the intervention characteristics of ≧3 times each week (p = 0.042), ≧8 total training weeks (p = 0.003) and ≧24 total training sessions (p = 0.040) yields a greater effect size.ConclusionsCognitive-based training is effective for the healthy older people. This improvement can represent a clinically important benefit, provide information about the use of cognitive-based training in healthy older people, and help the healthy older people obtain the greatest possible benefit in health promotion and disease prevention.

The Effect of Cognitive-Based Training Interventions on Driver Speed Management Behavior

Poor speed management is one of the leading causes of car crashes involving young drivers in Australia. The aim of the present study was to examine the utility of cognitive training methods (Self-explanation, Reflection, and Feedback) in improving young drivers’ speed management behavior. One hundred and two young drivers completed three test drives using a computer-based driving simulator. The results showed that cognitive training methods reduced young drivers’ tendency to exceed the speed limit. These findings have important implications for the development of a new approach to improve young drivers’ speed management behavior.

A Cognitive-Based Training Program for Graphic Designers to Improve Science Textbook Illustrations

A Cognitive-Based Training Program for Graphic Designers to Improve Science Textbook Illustrations