Intrinsic Functional Connectivity Network in Children with Dyslexia: An Extension Study on Novel Cognitive–Motor Training

<b>Objectives</b>: Innovative, evidence-based interventions for developmental dyslexia (DD) are necessary. While traditional methods remain valuable, newer approaches, such as cognitive-motor training, show the potential to improve literacy skills for those with DD. Verbal Working Memory-Balance (VWM-B) is a novel cognitive-motor training program that has demonstrated positive effects on reading, cognitive functions, and motor skills in children with DD. This extension study explored the neural mechanisms of VWM-B through voxel-to-voxel intrinsic functional connectivity (FC) analysis in children with DD. <b>Methods:</b> Resting-state fMRI data from 16 participants were collected in a quasi-double-blind randomized clinical trial with control and experimental groups, pre- and post-intervention measurements, and 15 training sessions over 5 weeks. <b>Results:</b> The mixed ANOVA interaction was significant for the right and left postcentral gyrus, bilateral precuneus, left superior frontal gyrus, and left posterior division of the supramarginal and angular gyri. Decreased FC in the postcentral gyri indicates reduced motor task engagement due to automation following VWM-B training. Conversely, increased FC in the bilateral precuneus, left superior frontal gyrus, and left posterior divisions of the supramarginal and angular gyri suggests a shift of cognitive resources from motor tasks to the cognitive functions associated with VWM-B. <b>Conclusions:</b> In conclusion, the study highlights that cognitive-motor dual-task training is more effective than single-task cognitive training for improving cognitive and motor functions in children with DD, emphasizing the importance of postural control and automaticity in dyslexia. The trial for this study was registered on 8 February 2018 with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20171219037953N1).