Citations 2
The Effect of In-School Saccadic Training on Reading Fluency and Comprehension in First and Second Grade Students
Starling, Amaal J. , Wethe, Jennifer V. , Messner, Leonard V., Master, Christina L. , Halker-Singh, Rashmi B., Vargas, Bert B., Bogle, Jamie M. , Mandrekar, Jay , Talaber, Alexandra , Leong, Danielle, Dodick, David, Wethe, Jennifer, Dodick, David W. , Pang, Yi , Smith, Craig E. , Wethe, Jennifer V
Journal of Child Neurology | October 11, 2016 | Volume: 32 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 104-111
Efficient eye movements provide a physical foundation for proficient reading skills. We investigated the effect of in-school saccadic training on reading performance. In this cross-over design, study participants (n = 327, 165 males; mean age [SD]: 7 y 6 mo [1y 1 mo]) were randomized into treatment and control groups, who then underwent eighteen 20-minute training sessions over 5 weeks using King-Devick Reading Acceleration Program Software. Pre- and posttreatment reading assessments included fluency, comprehension, and rapid number naming performance. The treatment group had significantly greater improvement than the control group in fluency (6.2% vs 3.6%, P = .0277) and comprehension (7.5% vs 1.5%, P = .0002). The high-needs student group significantly improved in fluency ( P < .001) and comprehension ( P < .001). We hypothesize these improvements to be attributed to the repetitive practice of reading-related eye movements, shifting visuospatial attention, and visual processing. Consideration should be given to teaching the physical act of reading within the early education curriculum.
The Effect of Saccadic Training on Early Reading Fluency
Leong, Danielle, Master, Christina L. , Messner, Leonard V., Starling, Amaal J. , Pang, Yi , Smith, Craig E.
Clinical Pediatrics | May 1, 2014 | Volume: 53 | Issue: 9 | Pages: 858-864
Background . Eye movements are necessary for the physical act of reading and have been shown to relate to underlying cognitive and visuoattentional processes during reading. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of saccadic training using the King-Devick remediation software on reading fluency. Methods . In this prospective, single-blinded, randomized, crossover trial, a cohort of elementary students received standardized reading fluency testing pre- and posttreatment. Treatment consisted of in-school training 20 minutes per day, 3 days per week for 6 weeks. Results . The treatment group had significantly higher reading fluency scores after treatment ( P < .001), and posttreatment scores were significantly higher than the control group ( P < .005). Conclusion . Saccadic training can significantly improve reading fluency. We hypothesize that this improvement in reading fluency is a result of rigorous practice of eye movements and shifting visuospatial attention, which are vital to the act of reading.