Short- and Long-Term Impacts of A Working Memory Intervention for Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

• Author / Creator

  Leung, Wing Sze W

• This dissertation consists of two studies designed to: (1) determine the neurobehavioural profile reflecting the strengths and limitations of children with Parental Alcohol Exposure (PAE) and (2) evaluate the short- and long-term impacts of a 25-session Cogmed© intervention on improving working memory and other cognitive, learning, and behavioural functioning in children with PAE. The first study examined the neurobehavioural profile of children with PAE. Data was collected from 46 children between 4 and 13 years old who were into a PAE group if they had a confirmation of PAE or a comparison group if they did not have PAE and had a history of typical development. In a clinical setting, children with PAE demonstrated strengths on tasks which required working memory, auditory attention, and cognitive fluency; however, their caregivers had not observed such strengths in day-to-day interaction. The second study involved 38 participants who were in the first study and completed a 25-session Cogmed© intervention. Significant improvements on both working memory and attentional control for both the PAE and comparison groups were reported (short-term impact). Most of the participants in the PAE group (65%) improved in at least one area of working memory. The gains on some measures were retained at follow up (long-term impact). The preliminary finding suggested there are short-term gains from the Cogmed© intervention and some potential long-term treatment effects.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Interventions
  • Working Memory
  • Prenatal Alcohol Exposure

• Graduation date

  Spring 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Doctor of Philosophy

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3SN01K4H

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.