Sebastian and Hernandez-Gil (2012)

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AIMS

> To investigate the development of the phonological loop within children aged 5-17 using a digit span as a measure of phonological capacity.

> To comapre findings to previous research of adult, aged and dementia patients.

PROCEDURE

> 570 volunteer participants were taken from schools in Madrid.

> All participants were natie Spanish, with no impairments such as those linked with hearing reading or writing. Anyone who had these impairments were not included.

> Divided into 5 age groups, and their average digit span was recorded for each age and age group. Participants were tested individually, and were read increasing sequences of digits of which they were required to recall in the correct order.

> Digits were read out at a rate of one word per second. Every time a participant recalled a digit span correctly, they were given a new one with a extra digit each time.

> The digit span was recorded as the maximum digit recalled in the correct order without error.

RESULTS

Age Group, and their Mean Digit Spans (SD)

Pre-school (5 years) > 3.76 (.52)

Primary School (6-8 years) > 4.34 (.58)

Primary School (9-11 years) > 5.13 (.81)

Secondary School (12-14 years) > 5.46 (.85)

Secondary School (15-17 years)  > 5.83 (.84)

This shows that there is an increase in digit span as age increases also. Children aged 5 have a very low digit span, which rises steadily around 11 years of age where it slows. The digit span between 15 and 17 years remains stable.

COMPARING THE FINDINGS TO PREVIOUS RESEARCH

>Elderly participants had a significantly higher digit span compared to 5 year olds. This was not significantly different to other age groups.

> Patients who has advanced dementia showed a similar profile (mean digit span 4.2).

> Patients with front variant frontotemporal dementia had a digit span that was significantly similar to younger age groups.

> Comparing the elderlyto dementia patients did not show a significant difference.Therefore, impoverished digit span was felt to be due to ageing rather than dementias.

> The overall capacity of digit span was felt to be far lower when compared to the Anglo Saxon studies, which found…

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