Shirley Shema-Shiratzky1, Marina Brozgol1, Pablo Cornejo-Thumm1, Karen Geva-Dayan2, Michael Rotstein2, Yael Leitner2, Jeffrey M Hausdorff1,3,4,5, Anat Mirelman1,3,4. 1. a Center for the Study of Movement, Cognition and Mobility , Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv , Israel. 2. b Child Development Unit , Dana Dwek's Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center , Tel Aviv , Israel. 3. c Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel. 4. d Department of Neurology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv , Israel. 5. e Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery , Rush University Medical Center , Chicago , USA.
Abstract
Purpose: To examine the feasibility and efficacy of a combined motor-cognitive training using virtual reality to enhance behavior, cognitive function and dual-tasking in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods: Fourteen non-medicated school-aged children with ADHD, received 18 training sessions during 6 weeks. Training included walking on a treadmill while negotiating virtual obstacles. Behavioral symptoms, cognition and gait were tested before and after the training and at 6-weeks follow-up. Results: Based on parental report, there was a significant improvement in children's social problems and psychosomatic behavior after the training. Executive function and memory were improved post-training while attention was unchanged. Gait regularity significantly increased during dual-task walking. Long-term training effects were maintained in memory and executive function. Conclusion: Treadmill-training augmented with virtual-reality is feasible and may be an effective treatment to enhance behavior, cognitive function and dual-tasking in children with ADHD.
Purpose: To examine the feasibility and efficacy of a combined motor-cognitive training using virtual reality to enhance behavior, cognitive function and dual-tasking in children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods: Fourteen non-medicated school-aged children with ADHD, received 18 training sessions during 6 weeks. Training included walking on a treadmill while negotiating virtual obstacles. Behavioral symptoms, cognition and gait were tested before and after the training and at 6-weeks follow-up. Results: Based on parental report, there was a significant improvement in children's social problems and psychosomatic behavior after the training. Executive function and memory were improved post-training while attention was unchanged. Gait regularity significantly increased during dual-task walking. Long-term training effects were maintained in memory and executive function. Conclusion: Treadmill-training augmented with virtual-reality is feasible and may be an effective treatment to enhance behavior, cognitive function and dual-tasking in children with ADHD.
Authors: Dulce Romero-Ayuso; Pablo Alcántara-Vázquez; Ana Almenara-García; Irene Nuñez-Camarero; José Matías Triviño-Juárez; Patrocinio Ariza-Vega; José-Pascual Molina; Pascual González Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-06-12 Impact factor: 3.390