Effect of Nintendo Wii-based motor and cognitive training on executive function of children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder

This study was conducted to determine the effect of Nintendo Wii-based motor and cognitive training on executive function of children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. Statistical population of this research included boys with ADHD, aged 8-11. Years. 27 eligible participants were selected from Avand development center and were randomly assigned and were randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. The experimental group participated in a selected gaming program for 24 sessions, 60 minutes per session. At the beginning of the study and after eight weeks of intervention, participants were assessed with Corsi-Block-Tapping test, GO/No-Go test and Tower of London (TOL) test. R Statistical software were used for data analysis. The resulting data were analyzed using ANCOVA and MANCOVA. The results showed that working memory and response inhibition in the experimental group were significantly improved in comparison to the control group, in assessing planning, there were significant differences between groups in TOL score that measured correct solved problems. But there were no differences in TOL scores that measure performance of planning time and planning speed (P >0.05).. These results suggest that Nintendo Wii game playing might be a simple and cost effective way for improving executive function of ADHD children.