Training cognitive functions of children with Specific Learning Disorders with the HapHop-Physio exer-learning game: A pilot study (Preprint)
BACKGROUND The HapHop-Physio exer-learning game is a cognitive rehabilitation program for children with learning disorders. It focuses on the training of memory and attention functions. Like any other health technology, HapHop-Physio has to be proven to be effective and appropriate compared to conventional methods for enhancing the essential cognitive skills for learning. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the changes in the cognitive domains of memory and attention after receiving treatment with the HapHop-Physio application. METHODS A quasi-experimental pilot study was conducted in three phases, with 14 children suffering from Specific Learning Disorders. In the first phase, the cognitive profile of children was obtained to assess the level of attention and the cognitive memory functions in four domains: auditory-verbal memory, visual memory, visual attention, and auditory attention. The second phase consisted of training cognitive functions of children with the HapHop-Physio application. A revaluation of the cognitive profile of the children was the third phase of the study. RESULTS On average, children's cognitive profile increased by 16% when comparing data from the first and the third phase of the study. Statistically, there is a significant difference between the performance of the cognitive profile before and after treatment with HapHop-Physio. CONCLUSIONS With the obtained results, HapHop-Physio is an effective technological support tool for cognitive rehabilitation therapies in children with Specific Learning Disorders or disorders of school skills, which has been tested in a clinical environment with the supervision on of a specialist. Moreover, the game encourages reading and writing processes and motivate children's adherence to the therapies due to the gamification methodology.