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Could audiovisual training be used to improve cognition in extremely low birth weight children?

  1. Minna Huotilainen1,2,3,
  2. Riikka Lovio1,
  3. Teija Kujala1,
  4. Viena Tommiska4,
  5. Kai Karma5,
  6. Vineta Fellman6,7

Article first published online: 30 MAY 2011

DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02345.x

Issue

Acta Paediatrica

Acta Paediatrica

Volume 100, Issue 11, pages 1489–1494, November 2011

Additional Information

How to Cite

Huotilainen, M., Lovio, R., Kujala, T., Tommiska, V., Karma, K. and Fellman, V. (2011), Could audiovisual training be used to improve cognition in extremely low birth weight children?. Acta Paediatrica, 100: 1489–1494. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2011.02345.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Cognitive Brain Research Unit, Cognitive Science, Institute of Behavioural Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

  2. 2

    Department of Music, Finnish Centre of Excellence for Interdisciplinary Music Research, University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland

  3. 3

    Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and Cicero Learning Network, Helsinki, Finland

  4. 4

    Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland

  5. 5

    Department of Music Education, Sibelius Academy, Helsinki, Finland

  6. 6

    Department of Pediatrics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

  7. 7

    Department of Pediatrics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden

*V Fellman, MD PhD, Professor, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital, POB 281, 00029 Helsinki, Finland. Tel: + 46 733 498 003 | Fax: + 46 46178430 | Email: vineta.fellman@helsinki.fi, vineta.fellman@med.lu.se

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 OCT 2011
  2. Article first published online: 30 MAY 2011
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 2 MAY 2011 10:40PM EST
  4. Received 29 January 2011; revised 14 April 2011; accepted 28 April 2011

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Keywords:

  • Dyslexia;
  • Event-related potential;
  • Mismatch negativity;
  • Prematurity;
  • Reading acquisition

Abstract

Aim:  To study whether a dyslexia remediation programme, Audilex, improves cognition in extremely low birth (ELBW) children.

Methods:  Six-year-old ELBW children were allocated to a 5-week training with Audilex or playing control computer games. Before and after intervention, auditory event-related brain potentials (ERP) to sound changes were recorded and reading related skills assessed. Primary outcome was the mismatch negativity (MMN) component of ERP. Secondary outcomes were Audilex Test (ability to perform the Audilex games), the reading skills after the intervention and 2 years later. Of eligible children, 39 (54%) consented and 22 (30%) completed the protocol.

Results:  The MMN responses to the frequency (p = 0.02) and duration deviants (p < 0.01) increased after Audilex training (n = 11), but not after control game playing (n = 11). Audilex Test performance was similar in both groups. The reading skills were similar after intervention and 2 years later; word reading score 59.7, 66.8 and 74.9 and comprehensive reading score 8.1, 8.8 and 9.4 in Audilex, Control and healthy class-mate children, respectively.

Conclusions:  Although all children did not complete the protocol, the results suggest that training with Audilex dyslexia programme might be beneficial for enhancing neural-level sound discrimation and possibly reading skills in ELBW children. A larger trial is warranted.

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