Comparing the Effectiveness of Neurofeedback, Neuropsychology, and Phonological Awareness Methods in Improving Dyslexia Symptoms of Students: A Network Meta-analysis

Abstract

Context: There is evidence of the positive effect of neurofeedback, neuropsychology, and phonological awareness interventions on improving dyslexia symptoms. However, no agreement exists on the effectiveness of these interventions and the most efficient intervention. Objectives: This research aimed to compare the effectiveness of interventions based on neurofeedback, neuropsychology, and phonological awareness in improving dyslexia symptoms in students with the network meta-analysis method to determine the most efficient intervention. Evidence Acquisition: A network meta-analysis was conducted to identify studies on neurofeedback, neuropsychology, and phonological awareness interventions. A systematic review was done using Scopus, PubMed, Magiran, SID, and Civilica databases to find studies related to the research objectives, which led to the analysis of 49 studies with 1,741 participants and 15 types of interventions compared to controls. Individual interventions were classified into neurofeedback, neuropsychology, and phonological awareness. The studies were evaluated in terms of the risk of bias. The data were analyzed using the frequency approach through R and R studio software to compare the direct and indirect evidence of the effectiveness of the interventions. Results: Neurofeedback, neuropsychology, and phonological awareness interventions were effective in improving dyslexia symptoms compared to controls. The perceptual-motor method, among individual interventions, and neuropsychological interventions, among group interventions, were ranked as "interventions with greater effectiveness" in reducing dyslexia symptoms. Subgroup analysis was also performed to find the sources of heterogeneity and inconsistency. Conclusions: To the perceptual-motor method and neuropsychology intervention group were ranked as the best interventions.. However, most of these studies were conducted in Iran, and further studies in different cultural fields and countries can help clarify the issue.