A Computerised Test for Assessing the Early Reading Skills

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study was to develop a computerised test with an adapted peripheral to assess the emerging literacy knowledge of children with mobility difficulties. The software was implemented using a game-like design controllable by a peripheral device without needing fine movements.

Detailed Description
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Conventional tests for assessing the early reading skills of preschool children on school entry are not accessible to children with mobility limitations. This paper presents a game-like computerised test featuring an appealing scenario that is accessible to these children. It was developed on a platform that creates 2D vector graphics and contains three phases of interactive content accessible through an adapted peripheral. Conventional tests were also used to validate the effectiveness of the game. The two types of tests had the same degree of predictive power when completed by thirty three preschool children without mobility impairment.

Official Title
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A Computerised Test for Assessing the Early Reading Skills of Children With Mobility Limitations

Conditions
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Learning Disorders

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: synthetic test
* Other: computerised test


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: G1 and G2: preschool children; no motor difficulties and normal school performance. G3: with moderate mobility impairment; similar cognitive ages and notions of writing to the participants of groups G1 and G2; children between seven and seventeen years old. Exclusion Criteria: G1 and G2: children who often miss classes; children between four and seven years. G3: no moderate mobility impairment

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 4 Years
Maximum Age: 17 Years


Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: synthetic test & computerised test<br>Seventeen preschool children (G1), with no motor impairments, from a private school. The children in G1 performed the synthetic test before the computerised test. | Other: synthetic test<br>* The children performed the synthetic test with no time restriction.<br>Other: computerised test<br>* The children performed the computerised test with no time restriction.<br>|
| Experimental: computerised test & synthetic test<br>Sixteen preschool children (G2), with no motor impairments, from a private school. The children in G2 performed the computerised test before the synthetic test. | Other: synthetic test<br>* The children performed the synthetic test with no time restriction.<br>Other: computerised test<br>* The children performed the computerised test with no time restriction.<br>|
| Experimental: computerised test<br>Seven volunteers (G3), two males and five females, with moderate mobility impairment, patients from the Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic. | Other: computerised test<br>* The children performed the computerised test with no time restriction.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Reading skills | The tests determine whether children can differentiate between the letters of the alphabet and squiggles, numbers, and mathematical signs (first phase); can realise that the same word can be written using uppercase, lowercase, and cursive letters (second phase); know the correct number of letters required to graphically represent the sounds used in speech (third phase). The numbers of incorrect choices made by children during the three phases of the computerised test (G1, G2 and G3) and the synthetic test (G1 and G2) are quantified. | 2 days | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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early reading skills