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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Aug 1.
Published in final edited form as: Dev Neuropsychol. 2012;37(2):153–175. doi: 10.1080/87565641.2011.632462

TABLE 5.

Intervention Studies

Reference Study Design Population, N Intervention Domain(s) Assessed Outcome Limitations
Butler et al. (2008) Randomized (2:1); Tested before, after, and 6 mo. post; Wait-list control group 161 childhood cancer survivors that had CNS treatment 20 2-hour sessions over 4–5 mo focused on cognitive training 5 indices: Academics, brief attention, WM, memory, vigilance Improvements found in academics & parent report attention after intervention compared to control group. Moderate compliance; No long-term follow-up; Wide variation in cancer diagnoses and treatment types.
Conklin et al. (2007) Double-blind, crossover in clinic testing sessions; Subjects served as own controls 122 survivors of BT or ALL with attention problems Received either MPH (60 mg) or placebo before testing NP battery, focused on attention, and processing speed Improvements in selective attention, impulsivity, cognitive flexibility, and processing speed, but not sustained attention. Combined ALL and BT groups; Heterogeneous treatment types.
Conklin et al. (2010) 12-month, open-label MPH trial. If participants declined medication or were not classified as responders, they were in control group 122 survivors of BT or ALL (control group = 58) with attention problems. After 3-week trial, those who responded well to MPH continued taking it for 12 mo. Pre- and post-NP testing occurred. IQ, achievement, attention, and behavior indices Improvements in attention through objective, parent-report, teacher-report, and self-report measures, as well as parent-report social skills and behavior problems. Groups not randomized; MPH group biased towards those who responded to MPH initially; Heterogenous treatment types; Combined BT and ALL participants for analyses.
Hardy et al. (2011) Tested at baseline, post-intervention, and three months post intervention Nine survivors of childhood cancer, including six PF tumor survivors Computerized, home-based, 12-week cognitive training intervention Attention, working memory Working memory and parent-reported attention scores improved from baseline to post-assessment Combined ALL and BT groups; Small sample size; Variable compliance.
Jain et al. (2008) Cross-sectional data comparing standard CRT with IMRT; Standard treatment control group 25 survivors of medulloblastoma Treated with either standard CRT or IMRT, and were evaluated afterwards IQ, visuomotor, and processing speed indices. No differences between IMRT and standard CRT group on any NP variables; both groups performed below norms on processing speed. Small sample size; Not randomized into groups; No long-term follow-up.
Mulhern et al. (2004b) Randomized, 3-week, double-blind, crossover study; Subjects were own controls 83 long-term survivors of childhood ALL (n = 40) or BT (n = 43) Received low-dose MPH, moderate-dose MPH, and placebo for one week each Social skills and attention (both teacher & parent report) Significant improvement with MPH compared to placebo; no effect for high-dose over low-dose MPH. Combined ALL and BT groups; No long-term follow-up; Wide range of ages at treatment.
Patel et al. (2009) Pre/post testing, intervention in between; No control group 12 survivors of childhood cancer w/CNS involvement (9-CNS tumors) 15 sessions focused on learning strategies and problem solving IQ, attention, memory, academics, social skills, and behavior indices Gains were seen in all attention scores, though none statistically significant Small sample size; No control group; Wide range of ages and diagnoses; Moderate compliance.
Thompson et al. (2001) Baseline testing, then repeat next day after receiving MPH or placebo; Used placebo control group 32 survivors of childhood ALL (n = 7) or BT (n = 25) Baseline NP testing; then randomly assigned to MPH or placebo, did NP tests again. Baseline: IQ, achievement, attention, and memory. MPH/Placebo: Attention, and memory Improvements for MPH over placebo noted in overall attention and omission indices. Small sample size; Combined ALL and BT groups; No long-term follow-up.

Note. Mo = months; CNS = central nervous system; BT = brain tumor; ALL = acute lymphoblastic leukemia; MPH = methylphenidate; NP = neuropsychological; IMRT = intensity-modulated radiation therapy; and CRT = cranial radiation therapy.