Correction of executive functions and the operation of the saccadic system in children with tumors of the posterior cranial fossa

Rationale. Executive functions (EF) can be considered as interrelated group of cognitive skills responsible for target behavior, including both higher and lower functions. Higher functions include inhibition, switching, cognitive flexibility, planning, working memory and solving of problems. Lower level of EF is a speed of processing and cognitive effectiveness/fluency which serve EF. Decreasing of EF and slowing of processing at patients received complex therapy in case of tumors of posterior cranial fossa lead to decreasing of quality of life and social functioning. It is supposed that disorder of EF and processing are connected to inaccuracies of saccadic system. Materials and methods. Five patients at age 10–14 years old with tumors of posterior cranial fossa were enrolled to this pilot study. These patients received rehabilitation and complex of hardware correction with the help of Dynavision D2 and Neurotracker equipment aimed to modify EF and processing. Two diagnostic sessions realized by itracking method and CANTAB battery to diagnose condition of saccadic system before and after rehabilitation process. Results. First experience of usage of a complex of hardware methods for EF correction showed improvement of function of saccadic system despite of different disturbances of visual analyzer which were diagnosed at all children. These results indicate the promising ways in solving of this actual problem.

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