Far Transfer Effects of Manualized and Computerized Cognitive Interventions on Parents’ Rated Behavioral Problems of Children aged 6–11 years with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Parallel Group Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Cognitive training programs have garnered significant attention globally over the past two decades due to their potential to reduce various cognitive deficits and enhance performance not only on trained tasks but also on untrained tasks and behavioral measures (transfer effects). Objectives: The objectives of this study were to compare the far transfer effects of a structured Manualized Cognitive Training Program (MCTT), two computerized cognitive training programs, and a no-training control group on parent-rated behavioral problems. the study used a parallel group randomised controlled trial to asses the impact of the cognitive training programs on a composite behavior score, which served as the primary outcome measure for evaluating both near and far effects. Methods: A total of 128 children aged 6–11 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder were screened for an intelligence quotient ≥85 using the Seguin Form Board Test and met inclusion/exclusion criteria. They were randomly assigned to four groups: MCTT ( n = 32), PSSCogRehab ( n = 32), Cogmed working memory training ( n = 32), and a treatment as usual (TAU) control group ( n = 32) with equal allocation. Assessment tools were used in this study. The Parent-rated Child Behavior Checklist (Achenbach) was administered at baseline, immediately postintervention, and at the 3-month follow-up. Results: The findings revealed no far transfer effects of the interventions on internalized behavioral problems across the three time points. However, MCTT and PSSCogRehab showed small-to-medium effect sizes ( d = 0.24–0.71) for the ADHD index and externalized problem behaviors. A large effect size ( d = 3.93) was observed for externalized problem behaviors at the 3-month follow-up between groups. Conclusions: The study suggests that the far transfer effects of MCTT and PSSCogRehab on behavioral improvement, particularly at the follow-up assessment, show promise and warrant further exploration with robust methodology and larger sample sizes.