The effectiveness of "web-based Narrative therapy" on executive functions and social interactions of children with ADHD

Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood disorders, requiring consistent adherence to treatment for successful outcomes. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the " web-based Narrative therapy " package on the executive functions and social interactions of children with ADHD.

Using a quasi-experimental design, 30 children (18 boys, 12 girls) aged 9 to 11 with ADHD were selected from educational counselling centers in Shiraz during the academic year 1400-1401. They were assigned to experimental and control groups after matching. While both groups received pharmacological treatment, the experimental group underwent a 12-session " web-based Narrative therapy " training over a period of one month and two weeks, while the control group did not receive this training. Data were collected using the use of Connors (2004), Brief Children's Symptoms (2000), and Mattson's Social Skills (1983) questionnaires to assess the variables of attention, organization/planning, and social interactions, respectively. Descriptive statistics including means, standard deviations, minimum and maximum values were calculated, followed by the use of covariance analysis (ANCOVA) to test the research hypotheses. The paired comparison between groups was conducted using the Levene and Bonferroni follow-up tests. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

The results indicated that the "web-based Narrative therapy" training was effective in improving organization/planning and social interactions. However, there was no significant difference in attention score between the experimental and control groups.

The utilization of new technologies such as "web-based Narrative therapy" demonstrates a promising strategy for rehabilitating children with ADHD. The outcomes of e-health interventions suggest that it is a potentially cost-effective and accessible intervention for children with ADHD.