Computer-based cognitive remediation program for the treatment of behavioral problems in children with intellectual disability: the «COGNITUS & MOI» study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Comorbid psychiatric disorders are frequent in children with intellectual disability (ID). Given the limitations of drugs treatments, cognitive remediation could be a promising tool to reduce these challenging behaviors but evidence is still scarce. Our group recently developed the «COGNITUS & MOI» program that is designed to train the attentional and visuospatial skills in children with ID. This study investigates the efficiency of the «COGNITUS & MOI» program in this condition. METHODS: Children (age: 6.00–13.11) with mild to moderate ID and behavioral problems, will benefit from a therapy during a 16 week randomized controlled trial. One group will be randomly treated with the «COGNITUS & MOI» program and the other with a motor skill and video viewing intervention. All participants will undergo a behavioral, functional and neurocognitive assessment at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up. Primary outcome will be the change from the baseline of the score on the “hyperactivity – noncompliance” subscale of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist. DISCUSSION: If the results are conclusive, the «COGNITUS & MOI» program could be added to the therapeutic arsenal against challenging behavior in children with ID. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials NCT02797418. Date registered: 8th of June 2016.