Neuropediatrics 2025; 56(S 01): S1-S24
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1812128
Neurooncology

Efficacy and Feasibility of the Mio-Training: A Metacognitive Intervention to Strengthen Cognitive Development of Children and Adolescents. An Evaluation Study

Authors

  • S. Salzmann

    1   Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
    2   Graduate School for Health Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

  • V. Benzing

    3   Institute for Sport Science, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland

  • S. Grunt

    1   Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland

  • R. Furtwängler

    4   Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland

  • R. Everts

    1   Division of Neuropediatrics, Development and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
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Background/Purpose: Cognitive trainings currently available have limited efficacy and lacks transfer to nontrained tasks and everyday functioning. We developed a novel metacognitive training at the intersection between exercise psychology and cognitive science, aiming to strengthen the cognitive development of young patients with atypical brain development in the long term. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of the Mio-Training on metacognition in healthy controls and expected an increase in metacognition, which is associated with an increase in cognitive performance and baseline variables (i.e., age, SES, and executive functions).

Methods: Our evaluation trial was a randomized controlled trial including 40 healthy controls aged 8 to 16 years (Mio-Training vs. waiting control group). Before and immediately after the Mio-Training, questionnaires assessing metacognition (JrMAI and BRIEF) and neuropsychological assessments were performed.

Results: The Mio-Training was reported as feasible with respect to enjoyment, usability, perceived impact, and level of autonomy. Metacognition significantly increased in the training but not the control group when assessed with the BRIEF (U = 36.5, p = 0.33, d = 1.2); however, it remained stable when assessed with the JrMAI (U = 138.5, p = 0.329, d = 0.3). Changes in metacognitive awareness correlated negatively with changes in working memory and planning (r = −0.51, p = 0.031; r = −0.48, p = 0.042), but positively with changes in inhibition (r = 0.57, p = 0.009), baseline inhibition (r = −0.52, p = 0.027), baseline cognitive flexibility (r = −0.56, p = 0.017) and a higher socioeconomic status (finances mother; r = 0.67, p = 0.002).

Conclusion: The results of this evaluation study suggest that the Mio-Training is feasible and effective in healthy controls. In the next step, we will assess its efficacy in a pediatric cancer and ADHD population. It is crucial to address the current lack of effective treatment options to strengthen cognitive development in young patients with atypical development.



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Artikel online veröffentlicht:
26. September 2025

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