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Phonics training improves reading in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 : A prospective intervention trial
Arnold, Shelley S. Barton, Belinda McArthur, Genevieve North, Kathryn N. Payne, Jonathan M.
Arnold, Shelley S.
Barton, Belinda
McArthur, Genevieve
North, Kathryn N.
Payne, Jonathan M.
Abstract
Objective
To examine the efficacy of a phonics-training program in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and reading difficulties.
Study design
Thirty children (7-12 years of age) with NF1 completed a double-baseline, 24-week intervention trial. Literacy outcome measures were assessed at 4 time points: (1) at baseline; (2) after an 8-week no-treatment period; (3) immediately post-treatment; and (4) at follow-up 8 weeks post-treatment. Repeated-measures ANOVA were conducted to examine change over time for all outcome measures, and significant main effects were explored with planned comparisons. Predictors of treatment effects were examined by linear regressions.
Results
Ninety percent of participants completed the intervention. Intervention-specific improvements were observed across a range of literacy outcomes, including reading accuracy (nonword reading, Cohen d = 1.10; regular-word reading, Cohen d = 0.32), letter-sound knowledge (Cohen d = 0.80), blending (Cohen d = 0.88), repetition of nonsense words (Cohen d = 0.94), phonemic decoding fluency (Cohen d = 0.55), and reading comprehension (Cohen d = 0.31). Improvements were maintained 8 weeks post-treatment. Age (P = .03) and working memory (P = .02) significantly influenced efficacy, with greatest improvements observed in older children with stronger verbal working memory capacity.
Conclusions
Home-based, computerized reading intervention was effective in improving the reading and reading-related abilities of children with NF1 and reading difficulty.
Trial registration
Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12611000779976
Keywords
neurofibromatosis type 1, reading deficit, phonics training, phonological awareness, intervention
Date
2016
Type
Journal article
Journal
Journal of Pediatrics
Book
Volume
177
Issue
Page Range
219-226
Article Number
ACU Department
Faculty of Education and Arts
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled