Group cognitive intervention targeted to the strengthening of executive functions in children at social risk

Abstract

El presente trabajo se propuso evaluar la efectividad de una intervencion cognitiva grupal destinada a promover las funciones ejecutivas en ninos en riesgo social. Se utilizo un diseño cuasi-experimental pretest–postest congrupo control. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 178 ninos argentinos (52% varones) de 6 a 10 anos de edad. Se empleo una batería de tests neuropsicologicos y una escala de funcionamiento ejecutivo versión docente. La intervencion incluyó 30 sesiones grupales, de dificultad creciente y se inserto dentro de la currícula escolar. Los niños entrenados evidenciaron un mejor desempeño en flexibilidad cognitiva, planificación, metacognición y control inhibitorio en comparacion con su desempeño basal y sus controles. Estos resultados aportan nueva evidencia sobre la efectividad de las intervenciones cognitivas infantiles y su capacidad para transferir las mejoras cognitivas a las actividades cotidianas de los ninos en el ámbito escolar.The present study set out to evaluate the effectiveness of a group cognitive intervention aimed at promoting executive functions in children at social risk. The quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest design included a control group. The sample was made up of 178 children (52% boys), aged 6-10. The children were evaluated by means of a battery of neuropsychological EF tests and a teacher-rated behavioral EF scale. The intervention program included 30 group cognitive stimulation sessions that increased in difficulty and were embedded into school curricula. Trained children performed better in terms of cognitive flexibility, planning, metacognition and inhibitory control, as compared to their baseline values and to children in the control group. This study provides new evidence of the effectiveness of cognitive interventions for children and of children's capability to transfer cognitive improvements to daily school activities.