Effectiveness of Computer Games on Improving the Attention and Working Memory of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The purpose of this study was to identify the effectiveness of computer games interventions in improving attention and working memory of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

In this study, through semi-experimental as pre-test/ post-test with control group, the statistical population of this study was the second to sixth grade students in Najafabad city in the academic year of 2018-2019. Among them, 20 students were purposively selected based on diagnostic interview and screening score using Swanson et al.'s (2000) questionnaire and were randomly divided into two 10 experimental and control groups. Data were collected using SNAP-IV (Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham,2001) questionnaire, Digit Span Backwards Task (Wechsler, 2008) and Corsi Block-Tapping Test (Corsi,1972). Computer game interventions consisting of 20-minute in 18 sessions run just for the experimental group. Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.

Results showed that computer game interventions had a positive effect on improving spatial visual attention and working memory, but no significant effect on verbal memory (P <0.05). Also results indicated that 74% of the differences in the groups were due to the impact of intervention (P<0.05).

According to the results, it can be concluded that computer games as a cognitive intervention have been effective in increasing attention and spatial memory in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Based on the results, it is suggested that new methods such as computer games can be used to improve cognitive skills and reduce students' learning problems.