Could audiovisual training be used to improve cognition in extremely low birth weight children?

Aim: To study whether a dyslexia remediation programme, Audilex, improves cognition in extremely low birth (ELBW) children. Methods: Six-year-old ELBW children were allocated to a 5-week training with Audilex or playing control computer games. Before and after intervention, auditory event-related brain potentials (ERP) to sound changes were recorded and reading related skills assessed. Primary outcome was the mismatch negativity (MMN) component of ERP. Secondary outcomes were Audilex Test (ability to perform the Audilex games), the reading skills after the intervention and 2 years later. Of eligible children, 39 (54%) consented and 22 (30%) completed the protocol. Results: The MMN responses…