The effectiveness of executive functions training program on working memory, response inhibition and selective attention of students with intellectual disabilities

The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the executive functions training program on working memory, response inhibition, and selective attention of students with intellectual disabilities. The current research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test-post-test design and a control group. The statistical population of the research included all students with low intelligence in Babak City in the academic year 2024-2025. 30 students with intellectual disabilities were included in the study by purposeful sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental (15 people) and control (15 people) groups. The research tools included the Stroop color-word test scale (1935, SCWT), the N-BACK Kirchner working memory test (1958), and Hoffman's go/ nogo test (1984). The research data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance using SPSS-24 software. The findings showed that by controlling the pretest effect between the mean posttest of working memory components (response time and correct response), response inhibition (response time, committed error, and total response inhibition), and selective attention (interference score, correct number, error number, reaction time and interference time) in the experimental group compared to the control group, there is a significant difference at the significance level (p<0.05). It can be concluded that the executive functions training program had an acceptable effect on improving working memory, response inhibition, and selective attention of students with intellectual disabilities.