The Effect of Cranial Electrical Stimulation Treatment and Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation on the Hemodynamic Changes of the Prefrontal Brain Region of Children with ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a type of neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in cognitive skills and emotional self-control. Many studies have pointed out the poor functioning of the frontal region in hyperactive patients. Increasing hemodynamic changes in the frontal region of these children can reduce the symptoms of the disorder. Goal: The purpose of this research is to investigate the changes in the concentration of hemoglobin (Hb) in the frontal region of these children during the cognitive activity of the computerized continuous performance test.

The current research is a clinical trial study with a pre-test-post-test-follow-up design. From 30 hyperactive children six to eight years old, fNIRS recording was performed along with computerized continuous performance test as a pre-test. Then they were divided into two groups of 15 people by simple random method. The first group underwent CES intervention and the second group underwent Captain Log's computerized cognitive intervention for 14 half-hour sessions, and after the interventions, the amount of hemodynamic changes in the frontal area of all participants was recorded by fNIRS along with computerized continuous performance test as a post-test. was taken Finally, after completing the intervention period 4 weeks later, the participants were followed up with the above tests.

The average difference in oxygen uptake from pre-test to post-test in CES group was significant (p<0.01), but this difference was not significant from post-test to follow-up (p>0.05). In the captain log group, the difference in the average amount of oxygen absorption from pre-test to follow-up was significant based on the results of the t-test (p<0.05). The results indicate the non-significance of the effect of group interaction on time for the oxygen uptake variable, there is no significant difference between the CES and Captain Log groups in the amount of change in oxygen uptake from the pre-test session to the post-test session and follow-up (p>0.05).

Based on the findings of this research, it can be concluded that CES intervention and Captain Log cognitive software intervention are effective treatments to increase the hemodynamic changes in the prefrontal region of hyperactive children and can also improve persistent visual attention deficit in these children.