Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness Intervention and Perceptual–Motor Games on Attention Problems in Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
Keywords:
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mindfulness, perceptual–motor games, attention problems, students.Abstract
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and is associated with deficits in attention and executive functioning. Given the limitations of pharmacological treatments, the present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of mindfulness training and perceptual–motor games on attention problems in students with ADHD. The study employed an experimental design with pretest, posttest, follow-up, and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all male students in the fourth to sixth grades of elementary school in Tabriz during the 2024–2025 academic year. A sample of 45 participants was selected using a multistage cluster sampling method and randomly assigned to three groups of 15 participants each (mindfulness, perceptual–motor games, and control). Research instruments included the Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) and the Conners Neuropsychological Scale. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance and the Bonferroni post hoc test. The findings indicated that both interventions significantly reduced attention problems (p < .05). The observed effects remained stable at the six-week follow-up assessment. Comparison of group means demonstrated that perceptual–motor games were more effective than mindfulness training. Mindfulness and perceptual–motor game interventions can be utilized as complementary strategies for reducing attention problems in children with ADHD. Furthermore, the findings suggest greater durability of the effects of multisensory and motor-based activities compared to cognitive training exercises. It is recommended that these interventions be implemented in schools and rehabilitation centers and be further investigated in future studies with larger samples and longer follow-up periods.
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