Inhibitory Control Training Improves Cold but Not Warm Cognition in Typically Developing Preschoolers

Abstract

Abstract Inhibitory control, as a fundamental executive function, has been found to be associated with a range of cognitive processes. In this study, our objective was to enhance inhibitory control through a targeted training program and assess its impact on delay discounting and risky decision making. Thirty-two typically-developing children (age mean 6.89 ± 0.32 years) were recruited in a random clinical trial design in two equal intervention and active control groups. Go/No-Go, Flanker, continuous performance, delay discounting, and balloon analogue risk tasks were used for assessment in three baseline, post- intervention, and 3-months follow-up sessions. The intervention group received the program for attentive rehabilitation of inhibition and selective attention (PARISA) and the active control group participated in a story telling class, both in 12 sessions. The results of the study indicate significant improvements in sustained attention, interference control, and prepotent inhibition among participants in the intervention group. However, there were no significant changes observed in delay discounting and risky decision making. These findings suggest that the inhibitory control training primarily enhances aspects of cold cognition and attentional processes. However, the observed improvements did not extend to reward processing or warm cognition.