Technology-based training for thinking skills in children with cerebral palsy

AI summary

From the trial's eligibility criteria. Machine-read from the registry text on this page, so it can be wrong. The registry text below and the trial team decide who can take part.

The trial is looking for children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have weaknesses in executive functions, the thinking skills used to plan, organise and stay focused. A separate group of typically developing children can also join.

Age

5 to 13 years

Sex

All

Disease stage

Confirmed diagnosis of CP with functional weakness in executive functions. Typically developing children must have no documented clinically relevant disorders.

Biomarker or test result

Children with CP need at least one cognitive index > 85 on the WPPSI-IV or WISC-IV test.

Main reasons for not taking part

• Severe other illnesses alongside CP
• Severe cognitive disability

The registry criteria, word for word

Check if you might fit

Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.

• Are you between 5 and 13 years old?YesNo

What the trial wants to find out

Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term, covering a group of disorders of movement and posture. It is now accepted that CP represents much more than a disorder of movements considering the frequent association with a broad range of impairments, including cognitive impairments. In general, multiple clinical characteristics that define and determine different functional profiles. Several studies on children with unilateral and bilateral CP have been shown that, despite the overall preserved intellectual functioning, there are specific neuropsychological impairments distinguishing the two forms, including deficits in different Executive Functions (EF) components. Executive Functions (EFs) represent a complex cognitive domain consisting of a set of top-down functions essential for adaptive goal-directed behaviour, allowing to formulate, plan, and organise ideas, cope with challenges and novelties, resist temptations and stay focused. EF represents general domain abilities transversal to several cognitive processes and underling different daily life activities and school learning skills. Empowering EF becomes therefore crucial in children with CP both to strengthen specific functional EF weaknesses and to achieve far transfer effects on other compromised domains, such as motor planning, academic skills,and/or visuospatial processing. To pursue this, the EF training needs to be integrated into the complex and multidisciplinary care context promoting innovative intervention methodologies based on scientific evidence. Recent researches and clinical practice, carried out in our Institute, supports the effectiveness of innovative interventions on EF using new technologies in typical and atypical development, such as Self-adapting web based softwares, Game-based tools or Educational Robotics. Literature suggests these technologies allow to promote timely intervention within a user-friendly context, while respecting the key criteria of evidence-based neuropsychological rehabilitation, both reducing hospitalisation times and supporting interest and motivation for participation. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of technological intervention integrated with psychomotor activities to promote EF and then secondary to measure the effect on the functional profile of children with CP, including motor planning, visuo-spatial processing and learning skills, evaluating both short-term (T2) and long-term changes (T3).

The 4 groups in the trial

• Children with impairment in EF and in visuo-spatial abilitiesTreatment being tested

  Children aged 5 to 13 years old with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, with EF impairment and visuo-spatial difficulties

  Treatment: Self-adaption web-based software for the rehabilitation of EF and visuo-spatial abilities

• Children with impairment in EF and in specific cognitive processes underlying academic skillsTreatment being tested

  Children aged 5 to 13 years old with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, with impairment in EF and in specific cognitive processes underlying academic skills

  Treatment: Tele-rehabilitation of EF and specific cognitive processes underlying academic skills

• Children with impairment in EF and in motor planningTreatment being tested

  Children aged 5 to 13 years old with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy, with impairment in EF and in motor planning

  Treatment: Game-based tools for the rehabilitation of EF and motor planning

• Typically developing childrenNo study treatment, for comparison

  Children aged 5 to 13 years old with no clinically documented disorders.