Efficacy of Cognitive Retraining Techniques for Enhancing Cognitive Skills and Academic Performance of Primary School Children

The use of cognitive retraining techniques for the development ofbasic cognitive skills in school children has been rarely studied. The present study aimed to assess the efficacy of cognitive retraining techniques for enhancing cognitive skills and academic performance of primary school children. Thirty primary school children (between eight to ten years of age) without any diagnosable neuropsychiatric disorder participated in a 18 week Pre-Post experimental design study. The children were enrolled in cither an experimental group n=15) or a wait list control group(n=15). Intervention comprised of 36 hours of manualized CR package over 18weeks, consisting of activities for sustained attention. visual memory; and verbal learning and memory; and visuospatial skills. Pre-post intervention assessment was done using Grade Level Assessment Device (GLAD), Digit Cancellation task. Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT), Rev's Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT) and Block Design Test. Significant improvement in attention, verbal memory, visual memory, visuospatial skills and academic performance was found in the experimental group as compared to the wait list control group. The study has implications for enhancing cognitive skills and academic performance.