Comparing the Effectiveness of Attention Amplification and Memory Amplification on Verbal Fluency and Information Processing Speed in Students with Dyslexia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of attention amplification and memory amplification on verbal fluency and information processing speed students with dyslexia. This semi-experimental research was an applicable study according to the aim of the study. The population included all dyslexic students referred to the Learning Disorder Center of Khayami in Neyshabur City during March-September 2019 (n=150, girl=70, and boy=80). A sample (n=43, girl=21, boy=22) was selected using available sampling method, and were randomly divided into three groups of attention amplification (n=14), memory amplification (n=14), and control (n=14) groups. Participants were evaluated with both standard reading and dyslexia questionnaires of NAMA (for dyslexia assessment), the letters and signs test (for verbal fluency assessment), and Wechsler Scale (WISC) in pre-post and post-test phase, and also 3 months following the intervention. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANCOVA in SPSS20 software. In verbal fluency, results showed significant difference in attention- amplification group with a mean difference of 13.92; and in the memory-amplification group with a mean difference of 8.34 compared to the control group (P <0.05). There was a significant difference between the speed of information processing in attention-amplification with a mean difference of 9.65; and memory-amplification with a mean difference of 11.99 compared to the control group (P <0.05). Therefore, according to the findings, attention and memory amplification programs seem to be effective in improving verbal fluency and information processing speed in student with dyslexia.

Keywords

• attention
• working memory
• verbal fluency
• information processing speed
• dyslexia