The Effectiveness of Abacus Training on Improving the Working Memory and Response Inhibition of Primary School Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have poor working memory and response inhibition, which has much to do with their academic and social performances. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of abacus training on the working memory and inhibition of primary school students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

The present study is a semi-experimental one with pre-test, post-test and a control group. The statistical population of this research is the student non-profit schools in Yasouj city in 1400. Using convenience sampling, 40 primary school students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were randomly selected and divided into two groups of 20 members in experimental and control groups. The experimental group went under 12 sessions of 45 minutes of abacus training. The participants were evaluated with the demographic information form and Wechsler working memory test for children (WISC-R) and the Stroup test in 2 stages.

The results of covariance analysis showed significant score improvement in working memory and response inhibition in the experimental group compared to the control group as the (p<0.001) meanwhile the effect size of working memory and response inhibition were 0.81 and 0.47 respectively.

we recommend that educational officials accomplish abacus training with the help of experts in this field. This training will lead to the improvement of working memory, response inhibition, and probably better academic and social performances