Working Memory Training for Children With Cerebral Palsy

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disability in childhood (2-3 per 1000 live born), and is frequently accompanied by cognitive impairments and behavioural problems. The present study is a controlled clinical trial, a multicenter-study involving three health regions, as well as the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). Its primary research goal will be to evaluate the effects of computer-based cognitive training in children with CP. In addition, this study will be the first to conduct a comprehensive neuropsychological examination to improve our understanding of cognitive impairments as well as cognitive resources in CP children in Norway to aid in intervention planning.

Official Title
-----------------
Computer Based Working Memory Training in Children With Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Conditions
-----------------
Cerebral Palsy

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: Working memory training


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Cerebral Palsy School age (7-15 years of age) Exclusion Criteria: Not able to use computer, blind, deaf

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 7 Years
Maximum Age: 15 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Working memory training<br>After baseline assessment participants will be randomized to active training or treatment as usual (waiting). The active group will start training immediately and will have 6 weeks to perform the 25 training sessions. | Other: Working memory training<br>* The child will use the computer program at home under parental supervision for 25 sessions, each lasting 30-45 minutes and the family has 6 weeks to complete the training. Each session consists of 8 different tasks presented by an animated robot. The tasks all require the child to hold information in working memory and to manipulate the information.<br>* Other names: Cogmed RoboMemo;|
| No Intervention: Passive control group<br>The control group will receive treatment as usual (special education, physiotherapy etc). | |

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spatial span | The spatial span board from the Wechsler Memory scale 3ed. will represent our primary outcome measure. The total of forward and backward span will be used as primary outcome measure. | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Verbal working memory | The sum of letter-number sequencing and digit span (total raw scores) will be used as secondary outcome measures. | 9-12 weeks after inclusion | 

 Terms related to the study
=================
Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
-----------------
cerebral palsy, working memory, cognitive training