Training with a three‐dimensional multiple object‐tracking (3D‐MOT) paradigm improves attention in students with a neurodevelopmental condition: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

The efficacy of attention training paradigms is influenced by many factors, including the specificity of targeted cognitive processes, accuracy of outcome measures, accessibility to specialized populations, and adaptability to user capability. These issues are increasingly significant when working with children diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions that are characterized by attentional difficulties. This study investigated the efficacy of training attention in students with neurodevelopmental conditions using a novel three-dimensional Multiple Object-Tracking (3D-MOT) task. All students (ages 6-18 years) performed the Conners Continuous Performance Task (CPT-3) as a baseline measure of attention. They were then equally and randomly assigned to one of three groups: a treatment group, (3D-MOT); an active control group (visual strategy/math-based game, 2048); and a treatment as usual group. Students were trained on their respective tasks for a total of 15 training sessions over a five-week period and then reassessed on the CPT-3. Results showed that post-training CPT-3 performance significantly improved from baseline for participants in the treatment group only. This improvement indicates that training with 3D-MOT increased attentional abilities in students with neurodevelopmental conditions. These results suggest that training attention with a non-verbal, visual-based task is feasible in a school setting and accessible to atypically developing students with attentional difficulties.

Multiple object-tracking isolates feedback-specific load in attention and learning

“…This study demonstrated that repeated practice on the MOT paradigm improved performance by a standardized change of 0.62 (i.e., 41% increase as reported in the paper) after 15 sessions. The data from Tullo, Guy et al (2018) suggests an improvement as early as four sessions. Moreover, Faubert (2013) demonstrated that the learning rates for MOT differed across levels of athleticism in a typically developed adult population.…”

“…Previous research has examined the change in MOT capability across multiple sessions ( Faubert, 2013 ; Legault, Allard, & Faubert, 2013 ; Tullo, Guy, Faubert, & Bertone, 2018 ). Although the current study is the first to isolate the effect of feedback on MOT performance, the aforementioned studies demonstrated a learning effect for MOT with the inclusion of feedback.…”

“…Although the current study is the first to isolate the effect of feedback on MOT performance, the aforementioned studies demonstrated a learning effect for MOT with the inclusion of feedback. For instance, Tullo, Guy et al (2018) examined the efficacy of MOT to improve performance on a separate, clinically validated measure of attention for children and adolescents diagnosed with neurodevelopmental conditions. This study demonstrated that repeated practice on the MOT paradigm improved performance by a standardized change of 0.62 (i.e., 41% increase as reported in the paper) after 15 sessions.…”

“…To compare the learning trajectories of the MOT task across the four testing sessions: (i) we mapped average speed scores onto a logarithmic curve, which has been characterized as a typical learning curve by previous research describing learning effects on a MOT task ( Faubert, 2013 ; Tullo, Guy, et al, 2018 ) (ii) compared the trends using regression models. The feedback condition's trajectory followed this pattern by the equation: y = 20.019ln(x) + 85.152 at R 2 = 0.85, whereas the group that did not receive feedback did not map onto this pattern as clearly: y = 6.1488ln(x) + 96.456 at R 2 = 0.26.…”

Perceptual-Cognitive Training Can Improve Cognition in Older Adults with Subjective Cognitive Decline

“…attention, inhibitory function, cognitive flexibility, working memory) due to their involvement in higher-level cognitive tasks [6,9,35]. PCT has been shown to improve different cognitive abilities in both healthy and pathological populations of young and old adults [34,36,37]. It was postulated that PCT may reduce or reverse the age-related cognitive decline and the aim of this study is to verify if PCT can enhance cognition in older adults with SCD.…”