Impact of video game Minecraft on the cognitive flexibility of ADHD athletes student

Abstract

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a childhood disorder that is associated with a persistent pattern of symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity or inappropriate impulsivity, which usually continues into adulthood. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the video game Minecraft on the Cognitive flexibility of ADHD athletes students. Method: The study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre, post and follow-up design with a control group. The statistical population of the study was 79 ADHD athletes students from 9 to 16 years old in 2020 in Lorestan province. Of these, 30 students were randomly selected and divided into two groups control and experimental. Subjects were evaluated three times (pretest, posttest, follow up) with Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Also, to test the hypothesis, multivariate analysis of covariance, repeated measures analysis of variance, Bonferroni test and Spss­ 26 software at the significance level of 0.05 were used. Results: The results of cognitive flexibility scores showed a significant difference between the two groups in the three stages of measurement (P=0.0001). Bonferroni showed a significant difference between groups in the components of cognitive flexibility, the number of categories (P=0.027) and preservation error (P=0.0001). That is, Minecraft improved Cognitive flexibility in the experimental group, but no change was observed in the cognitive flexibility of the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that Minecraft improves the cognitive flexibility of ADHD athletes student.

Keywords

• video game
• executive functions
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder