A Selected Educational-Developmental Games Program on Motor Development, Cognitive Growth, and Executive Functions in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Physical education and Sport Science ، Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University,Tehran ،Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Behavioral Sciences in Sport, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

3 oloom & tahghighat

Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of a selected educational-developmental games program on motor development, cognitive growth, and executive functions in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The research was quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design and a control group. The statistical population included 7–10 year old male students with ADHD living in District 3 of Tehran, Iran, during the 2023–2024 academic year. ADHD diagnosis was confirmed based on DSM-5-TR criteria by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Purposive sampling was used, and 40 eligible children were randomly assigned to experimental (n=20) and control (n=20) groups. The experimental group received the selected educational-developmental games program for 8 weeks (24 sessions of 90 minutes each). Measurement tools included the MABC-2 Motor Development Test, the K-Cognitive Diagnostic Test, and the BRIEF Executive Function Questionnaire (Parent Form). Data were analyzed using Shapiro-Wilk test for normality, and MANCOVA and ANCOVA to compare post-test scores while controlling for pretest scores. The results showed that the educational-developmental games program had a significant effect on motor development (F(1,37)=8.738, p=0.005, η²=0.191), cognitive growth (F(1,37)=220.990, p<0.001, η²=0.857), and executive functions (F(1,37)=41.584, p<0.001, η²=0.529) in children with ADHD. Based on these findings, the selected educational-developmental games program can be used as an effective and practical method to improve motor, cognitive, and executive functions in 7–10 year old children with ADHD. However, due to study limitations (small sample size, population restricted to District 3 of Tehran, and lack of long-term follow-up), generalization of the results should be made with caution

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 08 September 2026

  • Receive Date 20 February 2026
  • Revise Date 27 May 2026
  • Accept Date 23 August 2026