Numerical processing efficiency improved in XXXX using mental abacus: ERP evidence utilizing a numerical Stroop task.

@entity1 @entity1032
This study examined whether long-term @entity1032 ( @entity1032 ) training improved numerical processing efficiency and at what stage of information processing the effect appeard. Thirty-three @entity1 participated in the study and were randomly assigned to two groups at primary school entry, matched for age, gender and IQ. All @entity1 went through the same curriculum except that the abacus group received a 2-h/per week @entity1032 training, while the control group did traditional numerical practice for a similar amount of time. After a 2-year training, they were tested with a numerical Stroop task. Electroencephalographic (EEG) and event related potential (ERP) recording techniques were used to monitor the temporal dynamics during the task. @entity1 were required to determine the numerical magnitude (NC) (NC task) or the physical size (PC task) of two numbers presented simultaneously. In the NC task, the @entity1032 group showed faster response times but similar accuracy compared to the control group. In the PC task, the two groups exhibited the same speed and accuracy. The saliency of numerical information relative to physical information was greater in @entity1032 group. With regards to ERP results, the @entity1032 group displayed congruity effects both in the earlier (N1) and later (N2 and LPC (late positive component) time domain, while the control group only displayed congruity effects for LPC. In the left parietal region, LPC amplitudes were larger for the @entity1032 than the control group. Individual differences for LPC amplitudes over left parietal area showed a positive correlation with RTs in the NC task in both congruent and neutral conditions. After controlling for the N2 amplitude, this correlation also became significant in the incongruent condition. Our results suggest that @entity1032 training can strengthen the relationship between symbolic representation and numerical magnitude so that numerical information processing becomes quicker and automatic in @entity1032 @entity1 .
