The Impact of a Game-Based Motor-Cognitive Training Program on Improving Fine Motor Skills and Response Inhibition in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Objective — The goal of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a game-based motor-cognitive training program in improving fine motor skills (FMS) and inhibiting impulsive responses in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods — This study was a quasi-experimental study using a pre-post design with a control group. Thirty boys were selected using convenience sampling from two clinics in Tehran and randomly distributed among two groups: experimental and control (n=15). The intervention consisted of a game-based motor-cognitive training program including 10 sessions of 40 minutes each. Data collection instruments included the short form of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (2BOT) and Stroop Test for response inhibition. Data were analyzed performed using SPSS v.27 software and covariance analysis (one-way ANCOVA and MANCOVA). Results — In this study, a significant difference was observed between the experimental and control groups in improving attention and inhibiting impulsive responses after the intervention (p<0.001). The game-based intervention was significantly more effective in improving FMS and inhibiting impulsive responses in children with ADHD vs. the control group (p<0.001). Considering the results of the pre-test, significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in at least one of the dependent variables (components of FMS) (P<0.001, F=15.800). Conclusion — Based on our findings, the game-based motor-cognitive training program is effective in improving FMS and response inhibition in the treatment of cognitive and motor impairments.