The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the combination of Rhythmic Reading Training (RRT), a computer-assisted intervention method that combines sublexical reading exercises with rhythm processing, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on reading abilities of a group of Italian undergraduate students with dyslexia. Two experimental conditions (active vs. sham) will be compared. Finally, the effects of the intervention on other cognitive functions involved in the process of reading (i.e., rapid automatized naming, verbal working memory, rhythm perception abilities) will be measured.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
20
RRT is a computerized reading training program designed for Italian students with dyslexia. The main feature of this intervention is the integration of a traditional remediation approach (sublexical treatment) with rhythm processing. Therefore, all reading exercises are characterized by a rhythmic accompaniment with gradually increasing speed.
tDCS (transcranial direct current stimulation) is a noninvasive weak-current brain stimulation technique that can facilitate (anodal electrode) or inhibit (cathodal electrode) cortical activity, thus offering exciting possibilities for the enhancement and treatment of impaired cognitive abilities.
Catholic University of the Sacred Heart
Milan, Italy
RECRUITINGText reading speed expressed in syllables per seconds
The ability to read aloud a text was assessed using the Italian standardized test 'Prova di velocità di lettura di brani' (Zoccolotti, Fondazione S. Lucia), which provides speed and accuracy scores in reading aloud age-normed texts.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Text reading accuracy expressed in number of errors
The ability to read aloud a text was assessed using the Italian standardized test 'Prova di velocità di lettura di brani' (Zoccolotti, Fondazione S. Lucia), which provides speed and accuracy scores in reading aloud age-normed texts.
Time frame: 2 weeks
Word reading speed expressed in syllables per seconds
The ability to read aloud lists of words was assessed using the following Italian standardized tests: 'Assessment battery for Developmental Dyslexia and Dysorthography-2' (Batteria per la valutazione della dislessia e disortografia evolutiva - DDE-2), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for word reading (4 lists of 28 words each with different lengths and frequency of use); 'Word and pseudo-word reading test' (WPRT, Prova di lettura di parole e non parole), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for word reading (4 lists of 30 words varying according to length: short vs. long and frequency of use: low vs. high frequency).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Word reading accuracy expressed in number of errors
The ability to read aloud lists of words was assessed using the following Italian standardized tests: 'Assessment battery for Developmental Dyslexia and Dysorthography-2' (Batteria per la valutazione della dislessia e disortografia evolutiva - DDE-2), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for word reading (4 lists of 28 words each with different lengths and frequency of use); 'Word and pseudo-word reading test' (WPRT, Prova di lettura di parole e non parole), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for word reading (4 lists of 30 words varying according to length: short vs. long and frequency of use: low vs. high frequency).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Pseudo-word reading speed expressed in syllables per seconds
The ability to read aloud lists of pseudo-words was assessed using the following Italian standardized tests: 'Assessment battery for Developmental Dyslexia and Dysorthography-2' (Batteria per la valutazione della dislessia e disortografia evolutiva - DDE-2), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for pseudo-word reading (2 lists of 16 pseudo-words each with different lengths); 'Word and pseudo-word reading test' (WPRT, Prova di lettura di parole e non parole), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for pseudo-words reading (2 lists of 30 pseudo-words varying for length: short vs. long).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Pseudo-word reading accuracy expressed in number of errors
The ability to read aloud lists of pseudo-words was assessed using the following Italian standardized tests: 'Assessment battery for Developmental Dyslexia and Dysorthography-2' (Batteria per la valutazione della dislessia e disortografia evolutiva - DDE-2), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for pseudo-word reading (2 lists of 16 pseudo-words each with different lengths); 'Word and pseudo-word reading test' (WPRT, Prova di lettura di parole e non parole), in which speed and accuracy scores were computed for pseudo-words reading (2 lists of 30 pseudo-words varying for length: short vs. long).
Time frame: 2 weeks
Rapid Automatized Naming
Rapid Automatized Naming of colours and figures
Time frame: 2 weeks
Verbal Working Memory
Onwards and backwards digit span
Time frame: 2 weeks
Rhythm Discrimination
Rhythm discrimination task
Time frame: 2 weeks
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