Neurocognitive training enhances the outcomes of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A preliminary study.
Child Care Health Dev 2024;
50:e13268. [PMID:
38767513 DOI:
10.1111/cch.13268]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by diverse clinical manifestations including inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity.
OBJECTIVE
The present study aims to investigate the effects of neurocognitive training (NT), a personalized and specialized exercise programme on symptoms, attention and dynamic balance in treatment-naïve children diagnosed with ADHD.
METHODS
Fourteen treatment-naïve children aged 7-12 years diagnosed with ADHD were enrolled in the intervention group. The NT intervention was administered weekly for 10 consecutive weeks, supplemented by a structured home exercise programme for 6 days a week over the same 10-week period. ADHD-related symptoms, attention and dynamic balance were assessed in pre-treatment, post-treatment, 6 months, and 12 months. Fifteen typically developing (TD) children, matched for age, underwent evaluation only once to establish baseline normative values.
RESULTS
Following the NT (post-treatment), significant improvements were observed in hyperactivity-impulsivity scores, oppositional-defiant behaviours and dynamic balance when compared to the TD children (p < 0.05). In the ADHD group, a significant difference was found in the long term (12-month follow-up) in hyperactivity-impulsivity, oppositional-defiant behaviours and dynamic balance (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that the NT yields favourable effects on hyperactivity-impulsivity, oppositional defiant behaviours and dynamic balance in children diagnosed with ADHD, with these improvements appearing to be sustained over the long term.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
NCT04707040.
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