Effect of different interventions on rapid automatized naming (RAN): A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Authors

• Jonne Posti Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland
• Samuli Koponen Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies, University of Eastern Finland
• Jarkko Hautala Niilo Mäki Institute
• Riikka Heikkilä Niilo Mäki Institute
• Jukka Mäkisalo Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.144388

Keywords:

children, intervention, meta-analysis, RAN, rapid automatized naming, systematic literature review

Abstract

The aim of this study was to use systematic literature review and meta-analysis to determine what kind
of interventions improve rapid automatized naming (RAN) skill in children and adolescents. As a result
of a systematic data search in six databases and a manual supplementary search 20 randomized or
quasi-experimental intervention studies, in which rapid automatized naming had been measured before
and after the intervention, were included into the review. In the 11 studies where the effect size of the
intervention was moderate or larger, for example, serial naming, reading, phonological skills, movement
training that decreases retained primitive reflexes, and the identification of temporally changing stimuli
were practiced. Training RAN has been studied relatively little in intervention studies, but the evidence
obtained shows that rapid automatized naming is not a permanent human characteristic but a skill that
can be developed. Another important finding was that RAN skill can be influenced by different methods.
Further research is needed on what kind of interventions or combinations of them develop RAN skill in
the best way.