Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children

Abstract Background Dyscalculia, a specific learning disorder per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5), involves difficulties in math domains. Research on working memory’s link to dyscalculia is crucial for effective interventions in children with the disorder. This study aims...

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Main Authors: Salma Gamal Abdelgelil Mohammed, Sayed Mohammed Saeed Kadah, Ahmed Nabil Khattab, Hedia Muhey ElNeshwey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SpringerOpen 2024-11-01
Series:The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-024-00732-z
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author Salma Gamal Abdelgelil Mohammed
Sayed Mohammed Saeed Kadah
Ahmed Nabil Khattab
Hedia Muhey ElNeshwey
author_facet Salma Gamal Abdelgelil Mohammed
Sayed Mohammed Saeed Kadah
Ahmed Nabil Khattab
Hedia Muhey ElNeshwey
author_sort Salma Gamal Abdelgelil Mohammed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Dyscalculia, a specific learning disorder per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5), involves difficulties in math domains. Research on working memory’s link to dyscalculia is crucial for effective interventions in children with the disorder. This study aims to examine the cognitive characteristics of Egyptian children with developmental dyscalculia by evaluating their performance in verbal and visuospatial working memory. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Unit of Phoniatrics, Ain Shams University. The study included 60 children, aged 8–11 years, split into two groups: 30 diagnosed with dyscalculia (with or without dyslexia), and 30 with typical development, matched for age and sex, and without any communication, language, speech, or learning disabilities. Both tests—the Test of Mathematical Abilities (TOMA-3) and the working memory test—were administered to both groups. Results and conclusion Cases group show notably lower scores on tests measuring dyscalculia and working memory when compared to the control group. The highest percentage of impairment observed is in visual memory. However, there is no clinically significant difference between phonological (auditory) memory and visual memory. The correlation analysis indicated that the visuospatial sketchpad correlates with mathematical symbols and computations, while the phonological (auditory memory) shows a significant positive correlation with word problems.
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issn 2090-8539
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series The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
spelling doaj-art-c52cf92d5a9647ec9084bfea674335cd2024-12-01T12:07:31ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology2090-85392024-11-0140111310.1186/s43163-024-00732-zExploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian childrenSalma Gamal Abdelgelil Mohammed0Sayed Mohammed Saeed Kadah1Ahmed Nabil Khattab2Hedia Muhey ElNeshwey3Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar UniversityENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al Azhar UniversityENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Phoniatric Unit, Ain Shams UnivesrsityENT Department, Faculty of Medicine, Phoniatric Unit, Ain Shams UnivesrsityAbstract Background Dyscalculia, a specific learning disorder per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Fifth Edition (DSM-5), involves difficulties in math domains. Research on working memory’s link to dyscalculia is crucial for effective interventions in children with the disorder. This study aims to examine the cognitive characteristics of Egyptian children with developmental dyscalculia by evaluating their performance in verbal and visuospatial working memory. A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Unit of Phoniatrics, Ain Shams University. The study included 60 children, aged 8–11 years, split into two groups: 30 diagnosed with dyscalculia (with or without dyslexia), and 30 with typical development, matched for age and sex, and without any communication, language, speech, or learning disabilities. Both tests—the Test of Mathematical Abilities (TOMA-3) and the working memory test—were administered to both groups. Results and conclusion Cases group show notably lower scores on tests measuring dyscalculia and working memory when compared to the control group. The highest percentage of impairment observed is in visual memory. However, there is no clinically significant difference between phonological (auditory) memory and visual memory. The correlation analysis indicated that the visuospatial sketchpad correlates with mathematical symbols and computations, while the phonological (auditory memory) shows a significant positive correlation with word problems.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-024-00732-zDyscalculiaWorking memoryPhonological loopVisual sketch padCognitive abilitiesTOMA-3 test
spellingShingle Salma Gamal Abdelgelil Mohammed
Sayed Mohammed Saeed Kadah
Ahmed Nabil Khattab
Hedia Muhey ElNeshwey
Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children
The Egyptian Journal of Otolaryngology
Dyscalculia
Working memory
Phonological loop
Visual sketch pad
Cognitive abilities
TOMA-3 test
title Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children
title_full Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children
title_fullStr Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children
title_full_unstemmed Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children
title_short Exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in Egyptian children
title_sort exploring the relationship between dyscalculia and working memory in egyptian children
topic Dyscalculia
Working memory
Phonological loop
Visual sketch pad
Cognitive abilities
TOMA-3 test
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s43163-024-00732-z
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AT ahmednabilkhattab exploringtherelationshipbetweendyscalculiaandworkingmemoryinegyptianchildren
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