The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation of Working Memory in Reducing Sleep Disorders and Behavioral Symptoms of Children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The aim of this study was to measure the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation of working memory in reducing sleep disorders and behavioral symptom of children with Attention Deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The present study was semi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with control group. In this study, children aged 7 to 12 years who were diagnosed with (ADHD) by psychological experts of the counseling center of Kermanshah were selected. The Conners-Parent's Questionnaire and the Petersburg Sleep Inventory by parents and the Conners-Teacher Form by teachers were completed. 20 people who had the weakest performance in a working memory test were randomly divided into two groups. The experimental group was subjected to 12 sessions of The Captain's Log Mind Power Builder and the control group did not receive treatment. After the last session of treatment, both groups were re-evaluated. The findings showed that cognitive rehabilitation of working memory was effective in reducing sleep problems (P <0.001) and behavioral symptoms of attention deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (P <0.001). Therefore, it can be concluded that cognitive rehabilitation of working memory is effective on the reduce of sleep problems and behavioral symptoms in ADHD. It is suggested that cognitive therapy for cognitive-psychological rehabilitation in health centers to use by mental health professionals to reduce sleep problems and behavioral symptoms in children with ADHD.