Effect of a Memory Rehabilitation Program on Executive Functions of Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

 Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity affecting 3-7% of the children and is usually associated with defects in the executive functions. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of the cognitive rehabilitation of memory in improving the executive functions of children with ADHD.

This is a randomized clinical trial with a quasi-experimental design and pre-test and post-test phases. The study population consists of all school students suffering from ADHD in Yazd Iran in 2019. Of these, 30 were selected using a convenience sampling method and randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. The two groups were matched for age and practical and verbal intelligence. The intervention group received the memory rehabilitation program at 12 sessions each for 30 minutes. Both groups were evaluated at the first and last sessions of the treatment. The behavioral symptoms of the affected children were evaluated by Conners’ Parent Rating Scale. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and mixed-design ANOVA in SPSS v. 19 software.

The cognitive rehabilitation of memory significantly improved the executive functions of children with ADHD (p < 0.05).

The cognitive rehabilitation of memory by computerized tasks can improve the executive functions of ADHD children. Therefore, it is recommended that it should be used along with other educational and rehabilitation methods for children with ADHD.