Cognitive Training for a Child Showing Inattention Associated With Continuous Spikes and Waves During Slow Sleep (CSWS)

Abstract

In the present study, "Pay Attention!", a child-oriented cognitive treatment program, was administered to a boy with epilepsy (9 years 4 months old at the start of the study) who had continuous spikes and waves during slow sleep (CSWS), and who had difficulties with visuo-spatial recognition and attention. The effects of the training on attention and cognitive level (visual memory), and in daily life (navigation task) were evaluated. During training, error rate gradually decreased on 2 of the tasks as training continued; this effect was maintained in re-training sessions. The boy did not have difficulty with the other tasks. After the training, the boy's performance on a selective attention task significantly improved, compared to pre-training. The boy especially improved on the visuo-spatial and declarative memory tests. On the navigation tasks, his recognition of visual images improved, but his performance on the tasks involving selection of orientation and serial topographical memory did not. The results suggest that the attention training ameliorated cognitive functions in a process-specific manner. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract)