Premature babies can improve their working memory
Working with a computer program made a significant improvement.
Children born prematurely suffer from poor working memory, impaired concentration, and difficulty in formulating, planning and executing tasks compared to those born at term.
Researchers at NTNU have investigated whether using a computer training program to improve the working memory in preterm children can have a positive effect. Five- and six-year-olds whose birth weight was less than 1500 grams have used the program every day, five days a
week, for five weeks.
After the training period the researchers found a significant improvement in the children’s working memory. The effect on working memory can probably be transferred to other cognitive functions. The study was published in the journal Pediatrics.
