Abstract:
Objectives: This study investigated the efficacy of working memory training for improving working memory capacity and related auditory stream segregation in auditory processing disorders children. Methods: Fifteen subjects (9-11 years), clinically diagnosed with auditory processing disorder participated in this non-randomized case-controlled trial. Working memory abilities and auditory stream segregation were evaluated prior to beginning and six weeks after completing the training program. Ten control subjects, who did not participate in training program, underwent the same battery of tests at time intervals equivalent to the trained subjects. Differences between the two groups were measured using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: The results of this study indicated children who received auditory working memory training performed significantly better on working memory abilities and auditory stream segregation task than children do not received training program. Discussion: Results from this case-control study support the benefits of working memory training for children with auditory processing disorders and indicate that training of auditory working memory is especially important for this population.
Machine summary:
Objectives: Keywords: working memory, working memory training, auditory stream segregation, auditory processing disorders Submitted: 20 December 2014 Accepted: 22 February 2015 Introduction Auditory processing disorder (APD) is defined as ineffective and/or inefficient use of auditory information by the central auditory nervous system (CANS) and characterized by poor discrimination, separation, grouping, localization, or ordering of sounds (1).
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing, Association (ASHA) technical report, although individuals who have APD exhibit sensory processing deficits that are more pronounced in the auditory modality, but sensory processing in the central nervous system necessarily modulated by concurrent stimulation from other sensory modalities and top-down influences such as working memory (WM), attention and language (1).
The goal of this research is to improve auditory stream segregation by investigating the short-term effects of working memory training on WMC in APD children.
Children in the experimental group underwent working memory and auditory segregation tests prior to and after six weeks following completion of the training program.
Results The mean scores and standard deviations of auditory stream segregation and working memory abilities for experimental and control group are shown in table (1).
The results of paired t-test indicated no significant differences in working memory abilities in control group before and after a time interval equivalent to the training program (P>0.
The trained group showed improvements in working memory capacity skills and auditory stream segregation tasks after training.
In this study experimental group showed enhanced auditory stream segregation skills as indicated by reduction in CMAA, after auditory working memory training.