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Background: Digital game‐based learning is gaining increased attention from both researchers and educators for improving mathematics instruction. However, the evidence for game‐based learning is mixed and research with rigorous research design and analyses are limited. Objective: Here, in a pre‐registered randomized controlled study, we investigated whether a fraction game designed collaboratively by educational experts and professional game developers may serve as a useful tool to enhance students' fraction knowledge. Methods: We assigned French fifth graders to either an experimental group who used the game (n = 110) or a control group (n = 78) who received traditional instruction on fractions. Fraction knowledge was assessed pre‐ and post‐intervention. Results: Results show that students in the active control group had superior overall fraction performance than students in the experimental group at the end of intervention. However, the game had a positive effect on decimal learning. We also found a positive relation between game performance and overall fraction knowledge scores at post‐test. Contribution: The study highlights the importance of game metrics as indicators of personalized assessment tools. Given the increased usage of games in learning mathematics and the equivocal results on the effectiveness of these games, our study also highlights the importance of pre‐registration and randomized controlled studies. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic: Digital game‐based learning (DGBL) is gaining popularity in mathematics teaching.DGBL shows potential for teaching difficult abstract concepts such as fractions.However, research evaluating DGBL for fractions is limited. What this paper adds: The study examines a fraction game designed by education experts and game designers.Students fraction knowledge is assessed using paper‐based test.Challenges associated with DGBL in the classroom are discussed in the paper. Implications for practice: The results will guide educators in designing effective fraction instruction in classroom.The study highlights the critical role of instructional support in DGBL for fractions.Game based metrics can be used to individualize instruction in the classroom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have demonstrated the crucial role of vocabulary in predicting reading performance in general. More recent work has indicated that one particular facet of vocabulary (its depth) is more closely related to language comprehension, especially inferential comprehension. On this basis, we developed a training application to specifically improve vocabulary depth. The objective of this study was to test the effectiveness of a mobile application designed to improve vocabulary depth. The effectiveness of this training was examined on 3rd and 4th grade children's vocabulary (breadth and depth), decoding and comprehension performances. A randomized waiting‐list control paradigm was used in which an experimental group first received the intervention during the first 4 weeks (between pretest and post‐test1), thereafter, a waiting control group received the training for the next 4 weeks (between postest1 and posttest2). Results showed that the developed application led to significant improvements in terms of vocabulary depth performance, as well as a significant transfer effect to reading comprehension. However, we did not observe such a beneficial effect on either vocabulary breadth or written word identification. These results are discussed in terms of the links between vocabulary depth and comprehension, and the opportunities the app presents for remedying language comprehension deficits in children. Lay Description: What is already known about this topic:Vocabulary is a powerful predictor of both word identification and text comprehensionVocabulary depth rather than breadth is more closely related to language comprehensionDepth of vocabulary is particularly predictive of inferencing skills What this paper adds:We develop a new training application specifically targeting vocabulary depthThe training led to significant gain in children's knowledge for the taught wordsWe also observe a transfer effect with significant improvements in reading comprehension Implications for practice and/or policy:Vocabulary depth trainings represent a good way for remedying language comprehension deficits [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies suggest that stimulation of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) reduces food craving in bulimic patients, but evidence supporting repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a therapeutic tool is lacking. We investigated the safety and therapeutic efficacy of an adjunct high-frequency rTMS programme targeting the left DLPFC. Forty-seven women with bulimia nervosa were randomised to a real or sham stimulation group. The real group underwent 10 rTMS sessions, each consisting of 20 trains of 5 seconds with 55-second intervals between trains, at a frequency of 10 Hz. The main outcome was the number of binge episodes in the 15 days following the end of stimulation. Overall, no significant improvement in bingeing and purging symptoms was noted after the programme. rTMS was well tolerated. This suggests that 10 sessions of high-frequency rTMS to the left DLPFC provide no greater benefit than placebo. Future studies should consider methodological issues as well as alternative targets. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim A split-mouth randomized clinical trial was carried out to assess the effectiveness of a school-based dental sealant ( SBDS) program for French children from low-income backgrounds within 3 years of follow-up. The secondary objectives were to determine the risk factors for the occurrence of new carious lesions ( ICDAS 3-6) on first permanent molars, to evaluate the effectiveness of the program according to risk factors and to assess sealant retention. Methods The study included 276 6- to 7-year old pupils (457 pairs of first permanent molars) from Nice. The sealing was performed in first- or second-grade children. The first permanent molars were randomized into two groups: One received resin-based sealant and the other formed a nontreatment group. Carious lesions ICDAS 3-6 on permanent and primary teeth, visible plaque, streptococcus mutans and/or lactobacillus counts were recorded at baseline to assess individual caries risk ( ICR). The putative confounders recorded at baseline were sex, grade level, and characteristics of first permanent molars. An intent-to-treat analysis was performed, where the study outcome was the occurrence of new carious lesions within 3 years of follow-up. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models (hazard risk, HR) using the procedure PHREG with the option of Covsandwich were performed in SAS to assess the effectiveness of the SBDS program. Results At 3 years of follow-up, 228 children (378 tooth pairs) remained in the analysis. The survival analysis showed that first permanent molars that received sealants had 67% (adjusted HR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.24-0.46) less risk of developing new carious lesions during all the follow-up than molars without sealant. In addition, children with carious lesions ICDAS 3-6 on permanent and primary teeth, that is, high ICR, had three times the risk of having a new carious lesion than others without, independently of the sealant treatment (adjusted HR: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.55-5.75). Effectiveness of the SBDS program at 3 years of follow-up depended on the presence of carious lesions ICDAS 3-6 ( HR in 173 children with carious lesions: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.23-0.46) at baseline ( HR in 103 children without carious lesions: 0.42; 95% CI: 0.16-1.12). Finally, the overall retention rate was 32.3%. Conclusion The effectiveness of the SBDS program was demonstrated in low socioeconomic areas. Selection of schoolchildren according to the presence of carious lesions ICDAS 3-6 should be considered in a SBDS program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To examine whether living alone predicted hospitalizations, nursing home admission, weight loss, and death in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease ( AD) over 2 years of follow-up. Design Data are from the Plan de Soin et d'Aide dans la maladie d'Alzheimer study, a 24-month trial with a cluster randomization of memory clinics in two arms: a multidomain intervention and usual care. Setting Memory clinics in France (N = 50). Participants Community-dwelling individuals with AD with a Mini-Mental State Examination score between 12 and 26 and an identified caregiver. Measurements A neurogeriatric evaluation was conducted twice a year in the intervention group and annually in the control group. Hospitalizations, nursing home admission, weight loss, and death occurring during the past year were recorded. Information on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical conditions, therapy, and physical and cognitive status was recorded. Results At inclusion, 348 (30.8%) of the 1,131 participants lived alone. Living alone did not increase the risk of mortality or weight loss in individuals with mild to moderate AD, but significant associations with risk of hospitalization (hazard ratio ( HR) = 1.33, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.01-1.74) and institutionalization ( HR = 2.53, 95% CI = 1.84-3.47) were reported. A protective effect of physical function on institutionalization and mortality was found. Conclusion These results might support clinicians in making decisions about institutionalization of individuals with AD living alone or improving home health care, such as increasing screening and managing functional impairment in this complex population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous leg ulcers ( VLUs) are the most prevalent chronic wounds in western countries with a heavy socioeconomic impact. Compression therapy is the etiologic treatment of VLU but until now no wound dressing has been shown to be more effective than another. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a new dressing in the management of VLU. Adult patients presenting a noninfected VLU and receiving effective compression therapy were enrolled in this randomized, controlled, double-blind trial. The VLUs were assessed every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. The primary study outcome was the relative Wound Area Reduction ( WAR, in %), and the secondary objectives were absolute WAR, healing rate, and percentage of wounds with >40% surface area reduction. One hundred eighty-seven patients were randomly allocated to treatment groups. Median WAR was 58.3% in the Lipido- Colloid Technology- Nano- Oligo Saccharide Factor ( TLC-NOSF) dressing group (test group) and 31.6% in the TLC dressing group (control group) (difference: −26.7%; 95% confidence interval: −38.3 to −15.1%; p = 0.002). All other efficacy outcomes were also significant in favor of the TLC-NOSF dressing group. Clinical outcomes for patients treated with the new dressing are superior to those patients treated with the TLC dressing (without NOSF compound), suggesting a strong promotion of the VLU healing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]