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document
Working memory and cognitive flexibility-training for children with an autism spectrum disorder : a randomized controlled trial . BACKGROUND People with autism spectrum disorders ( ASDs ) experience executive function ( EF ) deficits . There is an urgent need for effective interventions , but in spite of the increasing research focus on computerized cognitive training , this has not been studied in ASD . Hence , we investigated two EF training conditions in children with ASD . METHODS In a randomized controlled trial , children with ASD ( n = 121 , 8-12 years , IQ > 80 ) were randomly assigned to an adaptive working memory ( WM ) training , an adaptive cognitive flexibility-training , or a non-adaptive control training ( mock-training ) . Braingame Brian , a computerized EF-training with game-elements , was used . Outcome measures ( pretraining , post-training , and 6-week-follow-up ) were near-transfer to trained EFs , far-transfer to other EFs ( sustained attention and inhibition ) , and parent 's ratings of daily life EFs , social behavior , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) -behavior , and quality of life . RESULTS Attrition-rate was 26 % . Children in all conditions who completed the training improved in WM , cognitive flexibility , attention , and on parent 's ratings , but not in inhibition . There were no significant differential intervention effects , although children in the WM condition showed a trend toward improvement on near-transfer WM and ADHD-behavior , and children in the cognitive flexibility condition showed a trend toward improvement on near-transfer flexibility . CONCLUSION Although children in the WM condition tended to improve more in WM and ADHD-behavior , the lack of differential improvement on most outcome measures , the absence of a clear effect of the adaptive training compared to the mock-training , and the high attrition rate suggest that the training in its present form is probably not suitable for children with ASD .
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Intervention_Educational
EF training conditions
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Intervention_Educational
an adaptive working memory ( WM ) training
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Intervention_Educational
adaptive cognitive flexibility-training ,
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Intervention_Educational
non-adaptive control training ( mock-training )
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Intervention_Educational
Braingame Brian , a computerized EF-training with game-elements
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Outcome_Mental
near-transfer to trained EFs , far-transfer to other EFs ( sustained attention and inhibition ) , and parent 's ratings of daily life EFs , social behavior , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) -behavior , and quality of life .
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Outcome_Mental
Attrition-rate
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Outcome_Mental
WM , cognitive flexibility , attention , and on parent 's ratings , but not in inhibition .
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Outcome_Mental
near-transfer WM and ADHD-behavior
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Outcome_Mental
WM and ADHD-behavior
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorder
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Participant_Condition
autism spectrum disorders ( ASDs )
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Age
children
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Participant_Condition
ASD
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Participant_Sample-size
121
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Participant_Age
8-12 years
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Participant_Condition
ASD