Group I :
Twenty children were given one teaspoonful of Bacopa monniera syrup three times daily for three months. (Each teaspoonful was equivalent to 350 mg of crude Brahmi.)

Group II :
Twenty children received the placebo, syrup with no Bacopa, three times daily for three months.

The psychological measures of efficacy of Bacopa monniera were based on the following tests:

Test 1: WISC maze to measure discrimination learning by way of visual motor performance

Test 2: WISC digit span test to approximate immediate memory skills

Test 3: Raven's colored progressive matrices to measure cognitive ability

Test 4: Bender Gestalt test which records activities related to brain functions as a measure of cognitive skills.

Test 1.
A statistically significant increase in raw scores and their corresponding total quotient (p < 0.001) and a statistically significant decrease in reaction time, (p < 0.001), performance time (p < 0.01) and error incidence (p < 0.1) were observed in the Bacopa- treated group. These changes were insignificant in the placebo group.

Test 2.
Statistically significant (p < 0.01) improvement was observed in the Bacopa -treated group.

Test 3.
There was significant improvement in reaction time in the Bacopa -treated group (p < 0.001). Insignificant changes were observed in the placebo group.

Test 4.
There was a significant decrease in scores (positive response, p < 0.1) in the Bacopa -treated group. Insignificant changes were observed in the placebo group.

No direct comparison between the herbal treatment group and the placebo group was calculated. However, significant improvements were observed in maze learning (visual motor function) and the digit span test (immediate memory) for the treated group. No improvement was observed in the placebo group.

With regard to perceptual organization and reasoning ability, the effects of both treatments were comparable.

These results show that the Brahmi treatment significantly improved discrimination learning, memory and cognitive functions in the subjects. These findings validate the potential use of Bacopa monniera in formulations to improve visual motor functions and immediate memory in children.