Cognitive-assisted rehabilitation in improving information processing and problem-solving in Down syndrome patients

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation in improving information processing and problem-solving in people with Down syndrome. The present study is experimental research with a single-subject design with multiple baselines. In the present study, there are three types of baselines, including 3-week, 5-week, and 7-week baselines. Nine clients are placed in these three types of baselines as shown in Figures 3-3, and after the end of the baseline, they enter the treatment. The effectiveness of treatment for each person is compared to his or her baseline and other people. The statistical population of the study included all 16 female and male Down syndrome students who studied in exceptional schools of Delfan city and Nazarzadeh exceptional school of Khoramabad city in the academic year of 2013-2014. Among these 16 students, 9 people were selected as a sample using a convenience sampling method. To examine and measure cognitive variables, Wechsler intelligence tests (forward digit span and backward digit span), Tower of London, continuous performance, Stroop, and Corsi block-tapping tests were assessed. To examine and analyze the behavioral data, the visual analysis method, Cohen's d size, recovery percentage (in cases where the goal is to increase behavior), and average reduction percentage (in cases where the goal is to decrease behavior) were used in this research. The results indicate the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation in improving cognitive deficits (problem-solving, information processing) of children and adolescents with Down syndrome.