جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه "حافظه کاری" در نشریات گروه "پزشکی"

The present study aimed to investigate the role of chronotype predictability in the working memory of female students using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery.

The statistical population consisted of 180 female students in the first to third grades at Tawheed School in Shahrood City for the academic year 2023-2024. These students were selected using an available sampling method and were assessed during the morning shift. The Children's Chronotype Questionnaire (CCTQ) was used to measure chronotype, while the Cambridge Neuropsychological Assessment Test was used to evaluate students' working memory. Data analysis involved correlation coefficient tests and stepwise regression analysis carried out using SPSS-22 statistical software.

The study found a significant positive relationship between working memory parameters—such as errors and strategies—and chronotype questionnaire indicators, particularly the midpoint of sleep and the morning/eveningness component. Outstandingly, the morning/eveningness component had a correlation of 87/87 for errors and 1B/03 for strategies, while waking time on working days correlated with errors at 0.14 and strategies at 0.1B, signifying they may predict working memory performance. On the contrary, the results indicated that girls with a morning chronotype demonstrated fewer errors and more effective strategies compared to those with intermediate and evening chronotypes (P<0.05). Furthermore, older students (9 years old) exhibited fewer errors and better strategies, with these age-related differences being statistically significant.

The results highlight the importance of considering circadian rhythm factors in evaluating students' learning. Recognizing individual differences in morning and evening preferences can be favorable for designing effective educational programs.

Sports performance is influenced by many cognitive, psychological, and physical factors. Reaching peak performance is one of the most important goals of athletes and coaches. Many studies show that it is possible to improve the performance of athletes by enhancing the executive functions of the brain. Executive functions impact motor learning because people progress by learning better motor and cognitive skills, and faster learning leads to faster progress in performance. Professional sports are characterized by constantly developing and reaching higher skills in their sport, which can affect their neuropsychological performance. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the nervous function and the ability of the brain to achieve optimal sports performance. So, this study aims to investigate the effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on working memory and sports performance of teenage gymnast girls.

This study method was quasi–experimental with a pretest–posttest design and a control group. Among the 12– to 15–year–old skilled female gymnasts in Yazd Province, Iran, 24 qualified volunteers were included in the study in a simple random manner. Then, 12 were assigned to the intervention group and 12 to the control group. The inclusion criteria were as follows: the girl is a professional gymnast, aged 12 to 15 years, and lacks a chronic sports injury. The exclusion criteria included an absence of one session from tDCS and not completing the questionnaire during the study. Moreover, based on the individual report of the subject's companion and the subject herself and her medical record, it was ensured that they do not have any other convulsive and psychiatric diseases. The working memory by N–back Test (Kirchner, 1958) and sports performance by Sports Performance Questionnaire (Charbonneau et al., 2001) were assessed before and after electrical brain stimulation treatment. Data analysis was done using covariance analysis in SPSS version 17 software. The significance level of the tests was set at 0.05.

The data analysis showed that the score on working memory test and sports performance among teenage gymnasts in the intervention group and after treatment increased significantly compared to the control group (p<0.001).

According to the findings, transcranial direct current stimulation of the brain can be used as a rehabilitation tool along with other training methods to improve athletes' working memory and sports performance.

Professional sport not only requires physical preparation, technical and tactical factors, but also cognitive, psychological and emotional characteristics can affect performance.

Hence, the objective of this study was to compare executive functions of attention, observational learning functions and working memory in professional athletes and ordinary people.

This is causal-comparative research. 90 people over 15 years old (45 professional athletes and 45 ordinary people) were included in this study during 2021-2022. For data collection, color-word Stroop test (… & … 2006), Functions of Observational Learning Questionnaire (FOLQ) (Cumming et al., 2005) and Working Memory Rating Scale (WMRS) were used. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and independent t-test.

The results of the t-test showed a significant difference between the variables of attention, observational learning functions and working memory between two groups of professional athletes and ordinary people (P<0.05). Accordingly, in all the variables of attention ability, observational learning functions including (skill, strategy and execution) and working memory, the mean score of the professional athletes group was higher than ordinary people (P<0.05).

The study results showed the necessity of paying attention to executive functions of working memory, observational learning and sports activities; and many practical implications in the field of interventions for those who decide to exercise professionally.

  Women, due to menstruation, pregnancy, and poor iron intake and absorption, are prone to iron deficiency anemia and its effects. The present study aimed to assess the effectiveness of process-based therapy in working memory and sleep quality in women suffering from iron deficiency anemia and generalized anxiety disorder.

 This study utilized a single-case experimental design. For doing so, six female participants suffering from iron deficiency anemia were selected through purposive sampling and received individual process-based therapy during nine 60-minute sessions. In the pre-treatment stage, the participants responded to Newman, Zueling, Kachin, and Constantino's fourth version of the generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire and underwent clinical interviews. They also completed a working memory test and sleep quality questionnaire in baseline stages, third, sixth, and ninth sessions of the intervention, and finally at the 3-month follow-up stages. The data were analyzed using visual analysis, a stable change index, and a recovery percentage formula.

 The results pointed out that the rates of overall recovery in working memory in the intervention and follow-up stages were 52.95% and 85.43%, respectively. Moreover, the rates of overall recovery in sleep quality in the intervention and follow-up stages were 66.57% and 75.78%, respectively, indicating success in therapy.

 Process-based therapy improves working memory and increases the sleep quality of participants. Therefore, it is suggested to be used as a method of treatment and complementary to medical treatment to remedy comorbid mental disorders and improve the general performance of people with anemia.

 Physical and mental disabilities and diseases increase with the onset of old age. On the other hand, the observation of older people who have considerably maintained their cognitive and physical abilities by changing their lifestyle rejects the belief that old age is always associated with profound physical and mental defects. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Tai Chi exercises on balance, fear of falling, working memory, and selective attention in older women.

 The present study is an applied study in which 47 older women with a mean age of 62.91±0.580 years from Tehran City, Iran, announced their readiness to cooperate after responding to a cyberspace call. Of them, 40 eligible women were selected. After performing the pretest (static and dynamic balance tests, working memory and selective attention, and falling efficiency questionnaire), they were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Then, the experimental group participated in the Tai Chi training program online for 8 weeks, and the control group performed their daily activities. Finally, the post-test was performed, and the results were recorded. Data analysis was performed by statistical method of analysis of covariance and combined analysis of variance using SPSS software at the level of P≤0.05.

 The results of the analysis of covariance showed that the effect of Tai Chi exercises on static balance (P=0.001), dynamic balance (P=0.001), fear of falling (P=0.001), working memory (P=0.022), and selective attention (P=0.002) was significant. Comparing the groups, the results showed that in all components studied, the participants in the experimental group performed better than the control group (P=0.001).

 According to the findings, Tai Chi exercises are a useful way to improve balance, reduce fear of falling, enhance working memory, and increase selective attention in older women.

This study aims to investigate the effect of combined working memory training (WMT) and attention control training (ACT) on craving, impulsivity, and working memory of opioid addicts under methadone therapy.

This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants were 50 male opioid addicts who were selected from addiction treatment clinics in Mashhad, Iran. After their random allocation to the intervention and control group, the intervention group received WMT+ACT for 4 weeks using a mobile application. Pre- and post-test assessments were conducted using a craving scale, Barratt impulsiveness scale, and Wechsler's digit span test. Descriptive statistics and multivariate analysis of covariance were employed for data analysis. 

The combined intervention significantly reduced craving and impulsivity in the intervention group compared to the control group, but it had no significant effect on working memory (P>0.05). 

The mobile-based WMT+ACT intervention is a useful intervention for male opioid addicts under methadone therapy.

One of the common problems of old age is cognitive disorders that seriously affect the daily life of the elderly. This research was conducted with the aim of the effectiveness of perceptual-motor exercises on the working memory of elderly women with mild cognitive impairment who use drugs.

This research was practical and with a semi-experimental method with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population consisted of elderly women over 65 years of age with mild cognitive impairment, drug users and inactive residents of nursing homes in Tehran. 30 elderly people living in one of the nursing homes were selected based on the inclusion criteria and randomly divided into two groups of 15 people, experimental and control. Participants completed Folstein Cognitive Status and Wechsler Memory questionnaire. The control group did their daily activities. The experimental group participated in the perceptual-motor training program three sessions a week for eight weeks. Both groups took their medicines regularly. After the training program, both groups completed the Wechsler Memory questionnaire again. Univariate analysis of covariance and SPSS version 20 software were used for data analysis (P≤0.05).

The results of the statistical analysis after the training intervention showed a significant improvement in the post-test scores of the experimental group in the working memory variable (P=0.009) compared to the control group.

According to the results of the research, it is suggested to the elderly and managers of nursing homes to use perceptual-motor exercises in order to improve cognitive health, according to their individual ability and environmental facilities.

Considering the increase in the number of children suffering from attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared to previous years, as well as the need of the scientific community to have correct and accurate scientific information about this disorder, it is necessary to carry out scientific research and more detailed investigations in the society for treatment. This disorder should be treated.

This research was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of computerized cognitive rehabilitation and practical neuropsychological exercises on working memory and clinical symptoms of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test and follow-up plan with a control group. The population of this research was all children aged 7 to 11 with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder who referred to pediatric psychiatrists and child psychologists in Tehran in the months of April to September 1401, and among them, 45 children were selected using a targeted sampling method. They were randomly selected and replaced in three equal groups of 15 people. To collect data, the Wechsler Working Memory Test (WISC-R), Children's Illness Symptoms Questionnaire (CSI-4), the fourth edition of the Swanson, Nolan and Pelham SNAP-IV scale and the Wechsler Children's Scale WISC-V DS21 subtest were used. SPSS software and multivariate covariance analysis tests were used for data analysis.

The results showed that both computerized cognitive rehabilitation intervention and neuropsychological practical exercises showed a significant difference in the post-test stage and follow-up on working memory and clinical symptoms of children with disorders. They have created attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

The results show that in working memory variables and clinical symptoms, computerized cognitive rehabilitation training and practical neuropsychological exercises have the same effectiveness.

Aging is a very sensitive period of human life and paying attention to the needs and issues of this stage is a universal necessity. Therefore, the purpose of this research was the effect of individual and team sports on the working memory and attention of the elderly.
The current research method was causal-comparative. The statistical population of this research was the elderly of Arak city, among them 102 elderly with an age range of 60 to 70 years were purposefully selected and participated in this study. They were divided into three groups of elderly active in individual sports, elderly active in team sports, and inactive elderly. N-back test and continuous performance test (CPT) were used to measure working memory and attention respectively. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test using SPSS-26 software.
The results showed that in the working memory and attention, individual and team sports had better performance than the non-exercise group (P≤0.05), but no significant difference was observed between individual and team sports (P≥0.05).
Team and individual sports improve the working memory and attention of the elderly. Therefore, it can be suggested that to improve the health of the elderly, exercise in a team or individually should be included in their weekly schedule.

Cognitive decline is one of the basic problems of adults, the cost of diagnosis and treatment is high, and despite the high importance of physical and mental health in facing this disease, no comprehensive research has been done on the role of psychological well-being and sports history on this disorder.  

The purpose of the research was to design a model of the mediator role of psychological well-being in the causal relationship between sports history and mild cognitive impairment.

This research was applied and correlational. The statistical population was 55 to 84-year-old men of Tehran with a history of physical activity, and 396 of them were selected based on criteria. The research tools were Wechsler's working memory test software (1945), Reif's psychological well-being questionnaire (1989), and self-reported sports history questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistics were used in spss23 and structural equation modeling and Sobel tests were used in smartPLS3.1.1 at a significance level of 0.05.

Psychological well-being has a positive and significant relationship with sports history (p=0.001; t=23.280) and working memory (p=0.001; t=18.227). Also, sports history has a positive and significant relationship with working memory (p=0.001; t=31.429) and the research model has a good fit and psychological well-being plays a mediating role in the relationship between sports history and working memory (p=0.001; t=10.55).

Engaging in proper physical activity and having psychological well-being can reduce the amount of mild cognitive impairment in adults, so these people should always think about their physical and mental health.

MS is an autoimmune and destructive disease of the central nervous system with different disease progressions that lead to physical and cognitive disabilities.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of exercise in interactive levels, cognitive rehabilitation, and selected sports exercises on the cognitive functions in patients with MS.

The present study was a semi-experimental project with a pre-post test design. The statistical population included all women with MS in Tehran in 2021. The sample included 30 women with MS aged 25-45 years who were randomly assigned to three groups for cognitive rehabilitation, selected sports, and interactive activities. Then, for 8 weeks and every week, 3 sessions of 90-minute, people in each group did the specific exercises of their group. The neuropsychological assessment tests of Kontab (1980) and the degree of disability progression questionnaire (1995) were used for data collection. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA with repeated measures, Bonferroni post hoc test, and dependent t in SPSS-21.

The results showed that training on interactive levels led to greater improvements in the cognitive indices of reaction time and selective attention than cognitive rehabilitation and sports training (P<0.05). While all three training methods led to the same extent to the development of the cognitive indicators working memory and cognitive flexibility, no significant difference was found between the effectiveness of these methods (P>0.05).

Overall, the results showed that interactive exercises have the greatest impact on improving cognitive function in people with MS. Thus, it seems that the use of this type of exercise leads to the induction of cognitive load, so it is recommended to use this type of exercise in the rehabilitation of people with MS.

Hypertension are an important risk factor for many diseases. Literature indicates different cognitive activities and executive functions, such as weaker working memory in hypertension patients compared to healthy. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determin the effectiveness of mindfulness-based therapy on working memory indicators of patients with hypertension.

The present study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial, based on a pre- and post-test design and a two-month follow-up with a control group. The research population included all people with hypertension in Rasht city (north of Iran) who visited Heshmat Heart Hospital in 2021. From this population, 34 volunteers were selected by purposive sampling and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The tool used in this study was Kirchner's 1 and 2 BACK test (computerized version) and a mindfulness therapy was performed during 8 sessions of 120 minutes once a week for the intervention group.

Before the intervention in the pre-test, the mean working memory indices of the intervention group and the control group were not significantly different. At the end of the intervention in the post-test, the mean working memory indices of the intervention group (1-back, correct answers = 75.17, reaction time = 462.61; and 2-back, correct answers = 67, reaction time = 495.81) and the control group (1-back, correct answers=69/35, reaction time=617/75; and 2-back, correct answers=59/71, reaction time=663/56) were significantly different (P<0.0001). In other words, the therapy based on mindfulness was effective in improving working memory indices of patients with hypertension. Also, the outcome did not change in the follow-up phase in both groups, which indicates the stability of the therapy in the intervention group.

Mindfulness therapy is effective on working memory indicators of patients with hypertension. Therefore, it is suggested that the mentioned intervention be used in medical centers to improve the cognitive activities of patients with hypertension, although it seems necessary to conduct more studies in this field.

Language is a basic skill and one of the important cognitive areas in children. The aim of the current research is to determine the effectiveness of "Language Skills Promotion Package Based on Cognitive Rehabilitation"  on attention span, working memory and language skills of children with specific language impairment.

The research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post -test-follow-up plan with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all children aged 5 to 7 years with specific language impairment who were engaged in education in normal preschool centers in the academic year of 2022-2023 and had referred to speech therapy centers in Borujerd city to receive speech and language services. The sample size was 30 people who were selected from among the statistical population by purposive sampling method and assigned randomly to intervention and control groups. Research instruments included demographic Questionnaire, "Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (Fourth Edition)" (WISC-IV), Clinical interview based on DSM-5 criteria, and "Neuropsychological Skills (Teacher Form) Questionnaire for Preschool Children". The content validity of the instruments was measured by qualitative method and reliability was measured through internal consistency method by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient. After implementing 12 intervention sessions based on "Language Skills Promotion Package Based on Cognitive Rehabilitation"  on the intervention group, the data were analyzed in SPSS .24.

"Language Skills Promotion Package Based on Cognitive Rehabilitation"  was effective on attention span, working memory and language skills of children with specific language impairment (P<0.01). Also, the effect of time on attention span, working memory and language skills was effective compared to the pre-test stage (P<0.01).

"Language Skills Promotion Package Based on Cognitive Rehabilitation"  was effective in increasing attention span, improving working memory and improving language skills of children with specific language impairment. Therefore, it is suggested to use the above intervention to improve children's cognitive and language skills.

Experience of separation from mother can cause lasting changes in brain structure. Meanwhile, exposure to opioids in adolescence can affect cognitive abilities. In this study, effects of maternal deprivation stress and exposure to morphine in adolescence on anxiety-like behaviors and working memory were evaluated in adult rats.

Male and female Wistar rats including control, maternal deprivation stress (Str), receiving morphine (Morphine) in adolescent, and Morphine with Stress (Mor + Str) group were selected. In the Str group, the offspring was separated from their mothers 3 hours/day for 14 days. Morphine group received increasing doses of morphine from 2.5 to 25 mg/kg for 10 days (31-40 postnatal day). Open field test, elevated plus maze and Y maze were used to investigate locomotor activity, anxiety-like behaviors and working memory of animals, respectively.

There was no significant difference in locomotor activity between morphine and control groups. Morphine group in both sexes spent more time in center of the open field compared to control group, and unlike the Mor + Str group, had stable anti-anxiety behavioral effects until adulthood. Working memory was impaired in both Morphine and Mor + Str groups in both sexes compared to control group.

Maternal deprivation and substance abuse have lasting effects on occurrence of anxiety-like behaviors during the developmental period of adolescence. Maturation of the nervous system can be affected by these adverse environmental factors and underwent permanent behavioral changes and cognitive disorders.

Cognitive disorders and decline in quality of life are common changes in old age that cause a wide range of problems. In order to increase the level of health and performance of the ever-increasing older adults’ population, it is necessary to understand their conditions and needs. Therefore, the current research was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of selected perceptual-motor exercises on working memory and quality of life in older women. This research was a semi-experimental one, with pretest-posttest design with a control group. The statistical population of this research included all inactive older women over 60 years old living in nursing homes in Tehran. The sample of the study included 40 people selected using convenience sampling and based on the inclusion criteria and randomly assigned into control and experimental groups. The participants completed the Folstein’s mini–mental state examination, the World Health Organization Quality of Life and the Wechsler Memory Questionnaire. The experimental group participated in the perceptual-motor training program for eight weeks, three 45-minute sessions per week. The control group did their daily activities during this time. After the training program, both groups completed the questionnaires again. To analysis the data, Univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS-20 software were used (P≤.05). The results of ANCOVA after the training intervention showed a significant improvement in the posttest scores of the experimental group in terms of working memory (P=.007) and quality of life (P=.001) compared to that of the control group. According to the results of this research, it is suggested to older adults to use perceptual-motor exercises in order to improve their cognitive and physical health, according to their individual ability and environmental facilities.

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have poor working memory and response inhibition, which has much to do with their academic and social performances. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of abacus training on the working memory and inhibition of primary school students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The present study is a semi-experimental one with pre-test, post-test and a control group. The statistical population of this research is the student non-profit schools in Yasouj city in 1400. Using convenience sampling, 40 primary school students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were randomly selected and divided into two groups of 20 members in experimental and control groups. The experimental group went under 12 sessions of 45 minutes of abacus training. The participants were evaluated with the demographic information form and Wechsler working memory test for children (WISC-R) and the Stroup test in 2 stages.

The results of covariance analysis showed significant score improvement in working memory and response inhibition in the experimental group compared to the control group as the (p<0.001) meanwhile the effect size of working memory and response inhibition were 0.81 and 0.47 respectively.

we recommend that educational officials accomplish abacus training with the help of experts in this field. This training will lead to the improvement of working memory, response inhibition, and probably better academic and social performances

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Sensory-Motor Integration Activities (SMIA) on balance and executive functions such as attention and working memory of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in 2022.

This research was a randomized single-blinded clinical trial with pre-test and post-test design. To this end, 30 boys with ASD in Tehran's growth center were selected for the research sample with the purposive sampling method and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups. The experimental group received SMIA for 24 sessions for two months (three sessions of 60 minutes each week); but the control group remained on the waiting list during this time. The data collection instruments included: Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF). Data analysis was done using SPSS-21 software.

The finding of an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicate that compared to the control group, the experimental group had a significantly meaningful increase balance and a significant decrease the executive functions of attention and working memory of autistic boys (P<0.001). The effective rate of SMIA treatment was 0.89 for balance, 0.79 for attention, and 0.63 for working memory; which showed a strong treatment effect, high statistical accuracy, and sufficient sample size.

It can be concluded that SMIA improves balance and executive functions of boys with ASD. Therefore, these low-cost movement activities and exercises can be used to improve the physical balance and cognitive functions of autism patients so that they have better physical-mental conditions society.

Dyslexia as one of the most prevalent learning disabilities that may cause problems in other fields academic and failure of primary school students. Thus, the present study was conducted to compare the effect of computer cognitive rehabilitation (ARAM) and practical rehabilitation games (attention games) on working memory, response inhibition, and reading comprehention of students with special learning disorder (dyslexia).

The current research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test post-test desing that included two experimental group and one control group. The population of this study consisted of all primary school students from second to fifth of Andimeshk City who that are studying in the 2021-2022. Sixty student were selected trough convenient sampling and placced in three groups of 20 people (two experimental groups and one active control group). For the first group, a computerized cognitive rehabilitation game and for the second group, a practical rehabilitation game was performed in 11 sessions of 45 minutes; while the control group did not receive intervention. The three groups in pre-test and post-test, were answered, wechsler working memory Test , Go/no go Test and Reading and Dyslexia Test (NEMA) and the data from these tools were analyzed using the multivariate covariance analysis and Benferoni's paired comparison test

The results of data analysis showed that cognitive rehabilitation games (computer and practical) improve working memory, response inhibition, and reading comprehention of students with dyslexia (p< 0/05). Also bonferroni test showed that computer rehabilitation is more effective compared to practical games.

According to the results of this study, cognitive rehabilitation games (computer and practical) can be used as an afficient method in the treatment of reading learning disorder by consultants and experts.

The concept of empathy has a special place in social psychology, neuroscience, clinical psychology and health professions (1). Contemporary theorists consider empathy as a multidimensional concept that consists of emotional, cognitive and behavioral aspects (3). Having creativity and the ability to solve problems seems to be able to facilitate the process of empathy (9). The ability to solve problems in the real world is a vital part of people's lives. A problem is a situation that people intend to reach from the initial situation to the target situation without having a specific solution (12). It seems that understanding the situation of others and sharing feelings with them can also be a form of a problem, and problem solving capacity can be effective in the process of empathy (16). Studies have shown that problem-solving skills are related to cognitive empathy (17). On the other hand, research results show that people who have a higher working memory updating ability spend a much shorter time solving problems than people who have a weaker working memory updating ability. One way in which working memory aids problem solving is by helping the problem solver resist distraction and limit his search in the problem space (21). On the contrary, there is evidence that shows that excessive concentration and having a higher working memory capacity can harm problem-solving performance (22). The relationship between empathy and working memory is one of the discussed topics in cognitive and social sciences. Working memory is hypothesized to predict empathy (23-24). However, the number of studies that depict the relationship between working memory and empathy is small, and despite the fact that working memory seems to be an important function in information processing, it plays a major role in many other cognitive functions, including problem solving, so It is possible that it has a mediating role in the relationship between problem solving and empathy, so far no research has been done on this issue, and the various effects that working memory can have on problem solving also adds to the complexity of this issue. Therefore, in the present study, the aim was to investigate the mediating role of working memory in the relationship between problem solving and empathy.

In terms of the method of data collection, this research is considered a descriptive (non-experimental) research, and in terms of methodology, it is included in the category of correlational research, and it is of the structural equations type. The statistical population of the current study was all students studying in Zahedan city in the academic year of 1400-1401. Among all students, a sample of 500 people was selected by cluster sampling method. In order to collect data, problem solving questionnaire (PSI), empathy questionnaire and working memory questionnaire (WMQ) were used.

The results showed that there is a negative relationship between problem solving and empathy variable, but the direction of the relationship between problem solving and working memory variable is positive. Examining the correlation coefficients shows that the intensity of correlation between problem solving and empathy is equal to -0.143 and the intensity of correlation between problem solving and working memory is equal to 0.465 (p<0.01). The fit indices were in the desired range. The direct path of problem solving to working memory (0.411) is positive and significant. And the direct path of working memory to cognitive emotional empathy (0.011) is not significant. The direct path of problem solving to cognitive emotional empathy (-0.372) is negative and significant. Also, the mediating effect of problem solving on cognitive emotional empathy through working memory is not significant. In the mediation model, the squared multiple correlation for working memory variable is (0.169) and for cognitive emotional empathy (0.135).

The findings showed that problem solving is related to working memory. This finding is consistent with previous research (20-21). In connection with the explanation of this finding, it can be said that in solving the problem, expert solvers tend to use weak methods in combined forms (31). here it is necessary to use working memory. Working memory includes a central executive that controls and coordinates the performance of two subsystems (phonological cycle and visuospatial storage). The central executive drives the entire system and allocates resources to subsystems. It is also related to cognitive tasks such as mental calculation and problem solving. Visual spatial design or the inner eye stores and processes information in a visual or spatial form. Based on this, problem solving is related to working memory. However, this hypothesis that problem solving has an indirect relationship with empathy through working memory was not confirmed in the present study. In explaining this finding, it can be said that, as previous studies have shown, high working memory can have different effects on problem solving. Working memory does not always positively predict the adaptive dimensions of problem solving, and sometimes working memory can be considered an obstacle to achieve insight. Due to the complexity of cognitive processes, increasing the power of problem solving sometimes leads to ignoring emotions, and leads to a decrease Therefore, problem solving and empathy cannot be related through working memory.

Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is one of the common childhood disorders with extensive negative effects on people emotional, metacognitive, cognitive, and communication processes.

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of cerebellar training in the theory of mind and working memory of children with ODD.

This semi-experimental study utilized a pretest-posttest and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population included all 5-6-year-old children with ODD in Gonbad-e Kavus city in 2022. A convenience sample of 40 people was assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group underwent cerebellum training in 20 sessions of 40 minutes, three sessions per week, while the control group did not receive any training. The research instruments included the Disorders of Children Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) (1994), Theory of Mind Test (1999), and Counting Span Test (2003). The data were analyzed by SPSS-24 software using the repeated measures analysis of variance.

Cerebellar training significantly improved working memory and theory of mind in the posttest and follow-up stages (P<0.01). Also, 31.7% of the difference between the groups in the theory of mind, 21.5% in the forward memory span, and 17.9% in the backward memory span was due to the intervention effect.

Cerebellar training was effective on working memory and theory of mind of children with ODD. This research provides useful information regarding the cerebellum training package. Counselors and psychologists can use this intervention to improve working memory and the theory of mind of children with ODD.