Comparison of the effectiveness of group mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral training and combination training for mothers on executive functions and impulsivity in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder have problems with executive and impulsive functions and they effect the mental state of their mothers. The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of group mindfulness training, cognitive-behavioral training and combination training for mothers on executive functions and impulsivity in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in Kerman in 2020.

The research design was quasi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with the control group. The statistical population of all mothers and boys in the first to third grades of the first elementary school had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in Kerman. The sample size included 60 people (15 people in the mindfulness training group, 15 people in the cognitive-behavioral education group, 15 people in the combined education group, and 15 people in the control group) who were selected by available sampling method and were randomly divided into control and experimental groups by lottery method. Measurement tools included Impulsivity and Executive Function Questionnaires. Multivariate analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of covariance were used to analyze the data. 

The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of the three stages of pre-test, post-test and follow-up test of executive function variables (0.33), and impulsivity (0.50) of children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Mean and standard deviation of working memory variable in a post-test stage in mindfulness training 19.34±4.31, in cognitive-behavioral 18.20±4.85, in combination 22.51±5.14 and in control group 81.88 ± 8.40 and in the impulsivity variable in mindfulness training 19.37±4.80, in cognitive-behavioral 23.08±4.56, in combination 17.02±3.67 and in the control group 30.83±4.24 was obtained (p<0.001).

The results of the present study showed that group education of mindfulness, cognitive-behavioral education and combination education for mothers had increased executive functions and reduced impulsivity in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.