The Effect of Mentalization-based Treatment (MBT) on Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Clinical Syndrome (Symptoms) in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are characterized by impulsivity, distraction, and hyperactivity and have high comorbidity with sluggish cognitive tempo. This study aimed to investigate the effect of mentalization-based treatment (MBT) on slow cognitive tempo and clinical symptoms (symptoms) of children with ADHD.

The study method was semi-experimental with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up with a control group design. The statistical population in this study were 7-9 years old students with ADHD studying in public schools in the six districts of Isfahan. To select the sample, 28 mothers of students who met the inclusion criteria were assigned and randomly divided into experimental and control groups (14 students in each group). The research instruments were the sluggish cognitive tempo questionnaire and the connors parent form questionnaire. The sessions of this treatment were 8 sessions of 60 minutes that were presented to the mothers of the experimental group and were not provided to the educational control group. After examining the assumptions of statistical tests, repeated measures analysis of variance was used. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, version 21.

Comparing the experimental group with the control group showed that the SCT and symptoms of ADHD in the experimental group compared to the control group were significantly reduced (P<0.01). Also, the comparison of mean scores showed a significant difference between pre-test and post-test and follow-up scores in both variables. Still, there was no significant difference between post-test and follow-up stage scores. There is a significant difference between the mean scores of SCT and the ADHD symptoms in the experimental and control groups and pre-test, post-test, and follow-up.

Considering the effectiveness of mentalization-based therapy on sluggish cognitive tempo and ADHD symptoms, this approach can be used as an effective treatment method in Iran.