The effect of yoga training on cognitive-motor functions in children with attention deficit - hyperactivity disorder

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of yoga training on cognitive-motor functions in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A quasi-experimental study was conducted on 26 children with ADHD (20 males and 6 females) aged between 6 and 10 year who referred to the Counseling and Psychological Clinical Shenakht Center of Esfahan in the second half of year 2012. The participants were selected through convenience sampling and were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received a 12-week yoga training; however، the control group performed their daily activities. Both groups participated in a pre-test and post-test; the experimental group participated in an additional follow-up test four month after the post-test. Conner’s Questionnaire (short form of parents and teacher)، Wechsler Revised Intelligence Test، and an apparatus were used to collect the data on possible diagnosis، children’s IQ، and cognitive-motor functions، respectively. An independent t-test and between groups ANOVA with repeated measure (α<0. 05) were used to analyze the data. There was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups in pre-test and post-test (p< 0. 05) in terms of cognitive-motor functions. A 12-weeks of yoga training appears to leave a significant effect on cognitive functions (selective attention and reaction time). Therefore، yoga may be suggested as an appropriate training method to help improving cognitive functions in individuals with ADHD.