Cognitive Training in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Summary

ADHD is associated with cognitive deficit. Therefore, cognitive training is often proposed as an intervention for ADHD that targets cognitive deficits, with specific exercises through intensive training sessions. This intervention is based on principles of brain plasticity and cerebral functional reorganizations.

Working memory deficits constitute a key impairment in ADHD. That is why, Cogmed working memory training is the most commonly used and studied cognitive training program in clinical practice and research. It is clear from most studies that Cogmed training program increases working memory in ADHD. However, transfer of learning is not demonstrated on: other cognitive functions that are not targeted by the program, on ADHD symptoms, nor on academic achievement.

In addition to this type of intervention multi-factorial program targeting different cognitive function as Presco also exist but have been less studied.

To address these challenges, this study will follow a randomized and controlled design.

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of cognitive training in comparison with a control waiting-list group among children with ADHD on:

1. ADHD symptoms,
2. cognitive functioning,
3. attentional capacities
4. academic achievement.

The second objective is to compare two types of cognitive training a unifactorial program Cogmed targeting working memory and a multifactorial Presco focusing on different cognitive functions affected by ADHD.

Long-term effects are examined six months after training. Participants (n=90) will be randomly assigned to the two experimental group (Cogmed or Presco) or to the control group waiting list. Participants will be evaluated three time (time 1) just before the intervention, (time 2) six weeks after the first evaluation, immediately after the intervention and (time 3) six months after the intervention.

Conditions

• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cogmed

Cogmed training working memory (unifactorial). Before beginning the program an appointment of one hour will be organized to present the program. Participants will train at home during 25 sessions (about 30-45 minutes each) over a maximum of 5-6 weeks. A coach will call the participant one a week to verify program adherence. The coach will verify participant results on internet before calling. Cogmed working memory training CogMed RM® (RoboMemo,Cognitive Medical Systems AB, Stockholm) version for children will be used in this program. Twelve exercises target verbal and visio-spatial working memory. Difficulty is adjusted depending on participant performance's

BEHAVIORAL

Presco

Presco drive of several cognitive functions (multifactorial). Before beginning the program an appointment of one hour will be organized to present the program. Participants will train at home during 25 sessions (about 30-45 minutes each) over a maximum of 5-6 weeks. A coach will call the participant one a week to verify program adherence. The coach will verify participant results on internet before calling. The program PRESCO® (Program in Cognitive Stimulation and rehabilitation ) comprises 40 exercises targeting: verbal and visio spatial working memory, attention capacities, reasoning, executive functioning , language and mental imagery. Only exercises targeting verbal, visual spatial working memory, and attentional capacities altered in ADHD are used in this present study. Difficulty is adjusted depending on the participant performances.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Amsellem Frédérique · Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

8 Years

Max Age

12 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-01-31

Primary Completion

2018-09-30

Completion

2019-02-28

Countries

• France

Study Locations