Attention-training with children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds in Cape Town

Abstract

Given the variability in our findings, more research needs be conducted with a larger sample to determine, with greater rigour, the efficacy of the intervention within samples of healthy children from low-SES backgrounds.

The cognitive remediation of attention in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND): A meta-analysis and systematic review

“…Findings from this meta-analysis are consistent with previous studies indicating the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation to train and remediate attention skills in patients with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ( Bikic et al , 2018 ; Wexler et al , 2021 ), autism ( Spaniol et al , 2018 ), as well as children ( Astle et al , 2015 ; Schrieff-Elson et al , 2017 ), and adults ( Rosenbaum et al , 2018 ; Spreng et al , 2010 ) without ADHD. Nonetheless, despite the significant findings indicated in the overall meta-analysis regarding the efficacy of attention remediation in HIV, insignificant effects were noted on key sub-group moderator effects contrary to expectation.…”

“…, 30 sessions of 30-45 minutes per session) ( e.g. , Frain & Chen, 2018 ; Fraser & Cockcroft, 2020 ) generate larger effect sizes, the nature of brain training intervention research tends to be taxing, time-consuming, and resource heavy, and tends to be associated with high attrition rates ( Ballieux et al , 2016 ; Salkind, 2015 ; Schrieff-Elson et al , 2017 ).…”

“…Neural brain plasticity posits that the human cortex is malleable and has the inherent capacity to undergo structural and functional change (Bach-y-Rita, 2003;Wilson et al, n.d.). Within the mammalian cortex, structural and functional change is attendant to continued and repeated exposure to cognitively demanding brain training exercises, purposed to rewire and improve neuronal connectivity, increase blood supply and improve brain function (Hebb, 1949;Luria, 1948; 1 Within the extant literature, the terms 'HAND' and 'neuroHIV' are used concurrently to indicate cognitive impairment following HIV (Saloner & Cysique, 2017).…”

“…Specific to HAND 1 , although no reliable worldwide estimates exist, the prevalence rates are estimated to range from 25% to 59% of HIV cases (Bonnet et al, 2013;Elbirt et al, 2015;Kinai et al, 2017). According to updated criteria, HAND is diagnosed if a patient performs more than one standard deviation (SD) below his or her normative mean, on standardized neuropsychological measures, in two or more cognitive domains (e.g., attention, speed of processing, verbal memory, executive functioning) (Antinori et al, 2007;Brew, 2018;Chan et al, 2019;Chan & Wong, 2013;Saloner & Cysique, 2017).…”

Cognitive interventions in children and adolescents from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: a systematic review protocol of randomized controlled trials

“…Moreover, group settings may resemble the school environment in which children are immersed in a daily-basis, and thus recreate a more familiar environment for the child. Within the literature, there is evidence of both individual [ 33 ] and group [ 34 , 35 ] interventions applied in order to enhance vulnerable children’s cognitive processes. For example, Segretin et al [ 36 ] compared both individual and group cognitive interventions applied to 4-year-old vulnerable children reporting that the children participating in the group setting improved their performance in memory and planning processes, whereas the intervention using individual sessions was more effective in terms of attentional outcomes.…”