The Effect of Computer-based Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy on Difficulties in Emotion-regulation among Students With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of computer-based cognitive rehabilitation therapy on difficulties in emotional regulation among students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods: Participants were 24 students with ADHD (12 boys and 12 girls) studying in 6-9th grades during 2018-19 at schools located in District 7 of Tehran, Iran. They were selected using a purposive sampling method and based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and then randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Data collection tool was the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS) completed at pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phases. Experimental group received computer-based cognitive rehabilitation therapy for 10 weeks (20 sessions, two sessions per week, each for 30 minutes). Data were analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA in SPSS V. 26 software. Results: All subscales of DERS were significantly improved after intervention which had a medium-to-large effect size. Conclusion: Computer-based cognitive rehabilitation therapy can help treat difficulties in emotional regulation and improve performance of students with ADHD.

Keywords

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• computer-based cognitive rehabilitation
• difficulties in emotion regulation