The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation and Play Therapy on Improving the Executive Functions of Children with Brain Tumors

This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation and play therapy on improving the executive functions of children with brain tumors.

The study was a practical research and a time series quasi-experimental design with multiple groups. The sample included 45 children between 7 and 10 years old with brain tumors selected from Mahak Hospital purposefully and by considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The subjects were randomly replaced in 3 groups of 15 people (group 1: cognitive rehabilitation; group 2: cognitive rehabilitation with play therapy; group 3: control group). The experimental groups received relevant interventions in 8 sessions, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The pre-test, post-test and 1-month follow-up of the participants of all 3 groups were conducted with the Executive Function questioner (BRIEF). In order to analyze the data, split-plot ANOVA design (SPANOVA) with spss21 software was used.

According to the results, the deficit of executive functions in children of both experimental groups was reduced compared to the control group and was stable in the follow-up.

The result showed these interventions can be used for children with brain tumors. Of course, the use of rehabilitation therapy integrated with play therapy is more suitable for improving the cognitive skills of children with brain tumors.