Actively Recruiting
Interventions in Math Learning Disabilities: Cognitive and Neural Correlates
Led by Stanford University · Updated on 2025-08-15
180
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
S
Stanford University
Lead Sponsor
E
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are investigating the brain and cognitive processes involved in how children, including those with mathematical learning disabilities (MLD), respond to interventions designed to improve their numerical skills. This study aims to understand the differences in learning and brain changes that support math skill development among children with various levels of math ability. The research uses a randomized controlled design to test an integrated symbolic and non-symbolic (iSNS) intervention. Children in the study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups for a 6-week period. One group receives the iSNS training, which focuses on improving the connection between symbolic numbers (like digits) and non-symbolic quantities to enhance number fluency. The other group participates in an active control intervention aimed at improving working memory skills related to visuospatial or verbal information. Participants complete training activities three days a week at home using a provided tablet and receive weekly one-on-one support from the research team. Participants will undergo assessments before and after the 6-week intervention, including MRI brain scans for those eligible, and behavioral tests measuring reaction time, accuracy, and brain activity related to number processing. Follow-up testing occurs six months later to evaluate long-term effects. The study measures changes in symbolic and non-symbolic number comparison tasks and brain activation to understand how these interventions impact learning and brain plasticity.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Interventions in Mathematics and Cognitive Skills
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Children aged 6 to 12 years, starting from first grade
- Full Scale IQ greater than 70 on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI-II)
- For children with math learning disabilities: scores below the 35th percentile on symbolic number processing test and two or more Wechsler Individual Achievement Test (WIAT-IV) math subtests
- For typically developing children: scores at or above the 35th percentile on symbolic number processing test and all WIAT-IV math subtests
- Normal or corrected-to-normal vision and no hearing impairments
- Right-handed for participation in MRI scan sessions
You will not qualify if you...
- History of neurological or psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, psychosis, depression, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
- History of head injury involving trauma
- Use of consistent psychiatric medications
- Contraindications for MRI, including braces, metal implants, pacemakers, vascular stents, metallic ear tubes, consistent exposure to metal, or claustrophobia
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person)
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants complete 6 weeks of training at home on a tablet, working on activities either to strengthen symbolic and non-symbolic number skills or to enhance working memory. They receive one-to-one training with a research team member once a week.
Weekly one-to-one training visits and home training three days per week
Duration - 6 months
After completing the training, participants return for post-training assessments including MRI brain imaging (if applicable) and behavioral tests to measure immediate effects. They are also invited back for follow-up testing after six months to assess long-term effects of the training.
1 post-training visit and 1 follow-up visit after six months
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Stanford Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Laboratory
Palo Alto, California, United States, 94304
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
V
Vinod Menon, PhD
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
2
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