The Effect of Attention and Working Memory Improvement Training on Continuous Performance of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background and Objective: Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is among developmental disorders that has taken the attention of psychologists and psychiatrics from a long time ago. The present study aims to investigate the effect attention and working memory improvement on continuous performance of children with ADHD. Method: The present study was a quasi-experimental study and the sample included 44 children with ADHD who referred to psychiatric clinics of Babol and had the characteristics of interest and they were divided into test and control groups, each group contained 22 subjects. Their performance at the pretest was evaluated using Continuous Performance Management Software. Then, each group member exposed to training with attention and working memory improvement application for 20 sessions of 30 minutes (7 weeks, 3 times a week, 30 minutes). After the training period, posttest was administered using the same software for both groups.Findings: The results of analysis of covariance showed that despite increased continuous performance of both groups at posttest, increased continuous performance in the test group was higher than the control group. Therefore, attention and working memory improvement training was effective for continuous performance of children with ADHD.Conclusion : Attention and working memory improvement training and similar trainings can function as a therapeutic method beside drug therapies or they can be used instead of drug therapies.

The Effect of Attention and Working Memory Improvement Training on Continuous Performance of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Keywords:

ADHD , continuous performance , attention and working memory improvement