Feasibility and Efficacy of a Computer-Based Intervention Aimed at Preventing Reading Decoding Deficits Among Children Undergoing Active Treatment for Medulloblastoma: Results of a Randomized Trial

Objective To investigate the feasibility of a computer-based reading intervention completed by patients diagnosed with a brain tumor. Methods Patients were randomized to the intervention (n = 43) or standard of care group (n = 38). The intervention consisted of 30 sessions using Fast ForWord® exerci...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of pediatric psychology 2014-05, Vol.39 (4), p.450-458
Main Authors:	Palmer, Shawna L, Leigh, Laurie, Ellison, Susan C, Onar-Thomas, Arzu, Wu, Shengjie, Qaddoumi, Ibrahim, Armstrong, Gregory T, Wright, Karen, Wetmore, Cynthia, Broniscer, Alberto, Gajjar, Amar
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Adolescent Age Factors Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - therapeutic use Biological and medical sciences Brain Neoplasms - drug therapy Brain Neoplasms - psychology Brain Neoplasms - radiotherapy Brain Neoplasms - therapy Child Child clinical studies Child, Preschool Combined Modality Therapy Cranial Irradiation - adverse effects Developmental disorders Dyslexia, Acquired - etiology Dyslexia, Acquired - prevention & control Feasibility Studies Female Humans Learning disorders Male Medical sciences Medulloblastoma - drug therapy Medulloblastoma - psychology Medulloblastoma - radiotherapy Medulloblastoma - therapy Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects) Neurology Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry Psychopathology. Psychiatry Quality of Life Reading Regular Sex Factors Therapy, Computer-Assisted Treatment Outcome Tumors Tumors of the nervous system. Phacomatoses Young Adult
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Summary:	Objective To investigate the feasibility of a computer-based reading intervention completed by patients diagnosed with a brain tumor. Methods Patients were randomized to the intervention (n = 43) or standard of care group (n = 38). The intervention consisted of 30 sessions using Fast ForWord® exercises in a game-like format. Change in reading decoding scores over time since diagnosis was examined. Gender, race, parent education, parent marital status, and age at diagnosis were examined as covariates. Results 17 patients (39.5%) were able to complete the target goal of 30 intervention sessions. Females had significantly greater training time than males (p = .022). Age at diagnosis was associated with average training time/session for females (r = .485, p = .041). No significant differences were found in reading scores between the randomized groups. Conclusions The study was well accepted by families and adherence by patients undergoing radiation therapy for medulloblastoma was moderate. Suggestions for improved methodology are discussed.
ISSN:	0146-8693 1465-735X