Effects on Executive Functions in the BAPNE Method; A Study on 8-9 Years Old Children in Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Abstract

In the educational field the development of executive functions is a very current topic especially regarding the different aspects of attention, concentration and memory. This research aims at the observation of the change of some neuropsychological functions after cognitive stimulation of 13 consecutive weeks with the BAPNE method. The explored functions are afferent to the model of executive functions (Diamond, 2013) which are fundamental for cognitive development. Attention has been given to low-level functions (inhibitory control and attention, working memory and flexibility) which are stimulated in the BAPNE activity. The sample consists of 21 children chronologically aged between 8 and 9 and the control group is formed by 19 children of the same age who didn’t do any other activity apart from the traditional education. All the children have been evaluated pre and post the course using standardized tests evaluating inhibitory control, working memory and response times in focalized, sustained, selective and divided attention tasks. Tests built ad-hoc have been added for the qualitative evaluation of the change, especially the maintenance of a motor sequence, of rhythm and of tempo (timing circuit stimulation). Obtained data shows how BAPNE stimulation in an educational context can improve some fundamental functions for learning such as inhibiting and attention; children are more able to memorize motor sequences and carry out more tasks simultaneously. Data shows the benefits of the BAPNE method and pave the way to reflections for further in-depth study in the neuropsychological field.