Study of computerized cognitive training technique for treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A new treatment modality experience

Abstract

Background Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood that can profoundly affect the academic achievement, well-being, and social interactions of children. Different treatment modalities are used for the management of ADHD. Aim To determine the value of computerized cognitive training (CCT) programs in improving cognitive functions and core symptoms in ADHD children Patients and methods In this study, 60 school-aged children with ADHD were included for the purpose of establishing the effect of cognitive training sessions on the core symptoms of ADHD. Patients’ data were collected as follows: the age and sex of the patients, residence, parental consanguinity, family history, prenatal/perinatal history and data of general examination, and psychometric studies: ‘The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder (DSM-V),’ ‘Conner’s Parent Rating Scale CPRS-93’ revised for assessment of the ADHD and associated comorbid disorders, and The Arabic version of ‘Stanford Binet intelligence test – 5th edition’ for assessment of intelligence quotient. Results A total number of 60 cases with ADHD who attended the Outpatient ADHD Clinic at AUCH were enrolled in the study. Among these, 66% were males, and the age variation was between 6 and 12 years among the three studied groups. All the children had an average intelligent quotient (IQ) more than or equal to 80. The mean intelligent quotient for the 60 studied children was 92.85±11.33. Pre-CCT assessment showed that there was no significant difference according to attention, concentration, hyperactivity, impulsivity, memory, and self-confidence between ADHD children of the three studied groups. There was significant improvement in comparison between the pre-CCT and post-CCT assessment among the three studied groups in regard to the core symptoms of ADHD, including attention and concentration (duration of attention and concentration, order of thinking, and learning from mistakes), hyperactivity (movement within chair, talking, and flight of ideas), topological memory (method of memorizing, recall), and reaction behavior (impulsivity and confidence). Conclusion From the present study, it was concluded that CCT training sessions are effective in improvement of ADHD core symptoms, including inattention hyperactivity, impulsivity, and memory deficits either with or without medical therapy. It results in improvement of confidence, duration and order of thinking, learning from mistakes, excessive movement, flight of ideas, and recall.