The effect of a digital interactive game in distractibility, hyperactivity and impulsivity in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and intellectual disability

The purpose of this study was examine the effect of a digital interactive game in distractibility, hyperactivity, impulsiveness and other relative symptoms in individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity -disorder (ADHD) and Intellectual Disability (ID). Methods: The study involved 20 adults (10 men and 10 women) with ADHD and ID aged 20-25 years who were enrolled in a special school and were divided randomly into two groups. Ten adults with ADHD and moderate ID (5 men and 5 women, with mean age 23.6 ± 1.65 years, IQ 35-50) constituted the intervention group (IG) participating in the digital interactive tennis game, for twelve weeks, three times a week for twenty minutes per session. On the other hand, ten adults with ADHD and moderate ID (5 men and 5 women with mean age 23.6 ± 1.78, IQ 35-50), constituted the control group (CG) who attended physical education lessons in their special school, twice a week, for forty five minutes per session. Results: Assessment for both groups included the use of the Instrumente zur Diagnose der Adulten ADHS (IDAA) questionnaire (Rösler et al. 2004), with no statistically significant differences noted between the two groups in all parameters evaluated prior intervention. Comparison between initial and final measurement revealed statistically significant differences in distractibility (p<.01), hyperactivity (p<.01), impulsivity (p<.01) and other evaluated sections (p =.127) of IG individuals. As to CG, statistically significant differences were noted between the initial and final measurement in distractibility (p<.01), impulsivity (p<.05) and other entries (p<.05), while there were no statistically significant differences in hyperactivity (p=.508). Conclusions: In conclusion, implementation of a digital interactive tennis game contributes effectively on reducing ADHD hyperactivity and impulsivity symptoms that characterize the behavior of adults with ADHD and ID. © JPES