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European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology

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10-10-2023 | Cochlear Implant | Review Article

Executive functions in preschool and school-age cochlear implant users: do they differ from their hearing peers? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Maria Nicastri, Hilal Dincer D’Alessandro, Valentina Baccolini, Giuseppe Migliara, Antonio Sciurti, Corrado De Vito, Laura Ranucci, Ilaria Giallini, Antonio Greco, Patrizia Mancini

Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology | Issue 2/2024

Abstract

Purpose

Executive functions (EF) play a fundamental role in planning and executing goal-driven behaviours. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate EF skills mastered by preschool/school-age cochlear implanted children (CIC) without morpho-functional abnormalities and to compare their outcomes with typically hearing children (THC).

Methods

Bibliographic search for observational studies of any language/date up to 16 December 2022 was performed with the following electronic databases: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. After removal of duplicates, 2442 records were subjected to a three-stage screening process and 83 potentially eligible articles were identified. A total of 15 studies was included in the final analysis: 9 articles directly meeting the eligibility criteria plus 6 more studies thanks to the authors sharing their data set, specifically for participants who met present inclusion criteria.

Results

Meta-analysis showed a statistically significant difference only for verbal short-term memory, whereas group differences for visuospatial short-term memory and verbal/visuospatial working memory were not significant. For fluency skills, meta-analysis revealed statistical significance for the semantic fluency task but not for the rapid naming test. Qualitative analysis reflected group similarities in flexibility but CIC’s difficulties in auditory attention/planning skills. Controversial findings for inhibitory control skills were observed.

Conclusions

EF performance comparisons between CIC and THC show inter-skill and inter-test variances. Due to the paucity of existing studies, present findings should be interpreted with caution. Future research in this domain is strongly recommended.

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Title: Executive functions in preschool and school-age cochlear implant users: do they differ from their hearing peers? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Maria Nicastri
Hilal Dincer D’Alessandro
Valentina Baccolini
Giuseppe Migliara
Antonio Sciurti
Corrado De Vito
Laura Ranucci
Ilaria Giallini
Antonio Greco
Patrizia Mancini
Publication date: 10-10-2023
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keyword: Cochlear Implant
Published in: European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology / Issue 2/2024
Print ISSN: 0937-4477
Electronic ISSN: 1434-4726
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-023-08260-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Executive functions in preschool and school-age cochlear implant users: do they differ from their hearing peers? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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