Effect of exercise therapy on symptoms of attention deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in students of primary schools in Rafsanjan

Children with attention deficit /hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are the first victims of emotional، behavioral and educational neglect. So it is necessary to treat these children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of exercise therapy on children of primary schools suffering from ADHD. Eighty children of primary schools in Rafsanjan city suffering from ADHD were included in this study. They were selected using Conner''s scale and clinical interview and divided randomly into two groups، experimental and control. The experimental group received 10 sessions of exercise therapy with Tatami therapy method. Post-test and follow-up tests were performed in both groups and the data was then analyzed by repeated measures. Findings indicated a significant reduction of hyperactivity، impulsivity and distraction in the experimental group (P<0. 05). This difference was also significant at follow-up. Exercise therapy or play therapy can be used as an alternative or adjunctive treatment for children with ADHD.