The purpose of this study was to determine if adding oculomotor training, using King-Devick (K-D) Remediation software, to an existing high school reading program would improve reading fluency outcomes. In this prospective, single-blinded, cross-over trial, of high school students (n=53) in grades 9 and 10 enrolled in the school’s 12-week supplemental reading course, all students received reading intervention using Scholastic’s Reading 180 system (New York, NY). Students were randomized by classroom into 3 groups based on their initial training condition (K-D Remediation, Placebo & Scholastic Only) and pre- and post-remediation measures were performed using the K-D Test and Reading Curriculum-Based Measurement (RCBM) reading fluency test. There was a significantly greater percentage improvement in reading fluency scores (WCPM) with combined K-D Remediation compared to reading intervention with Scholastic Only (7.54% vs. 3.59%, p = 0.03). Over the entire training period there was an average increase of 9.88 WCPM during sessions with K-D Remediation, 4.7 WCPM with Scholastic Only and 2.78 WCPM during Placebo. Expected improvement of a successful reading program is an increase of 5 WCPM. In this study, reading intervention coupled with oculomotor training using K-D Remediation, resulted in nearly double the expected reading fluency improvement.
Summary Points:
- This investigation examined the effect of adding the K-D Reading Acceleration Program (RAP) to the Scholastic Reading 180 reading course for students in grades 9 and 10 receiving supplemental reading
- Students who had the addition of K-D RAP to their existing reading intervention saw nearly twice the improvement in reading fluency compared with reading intervention alone.
- The greatest improvement occurred in the placebo group after crossing over to K-D RAP