Effectiveness of Attention Training with BARAN Cognitive Rehabilitation Program on executive functions and behavioral problems in Preschool Children with ADHD Symptoms

To determine the effectiveness of the BARAN cognitive rehabilitation package on executive functions (inhibitory control, working memory, and cognitive flexibility) and behavioral problems in preschool children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms

A randomized controlled trial with an active control group, parallel group design, non-blinded, without placebo, conducted on 30 preschool children with ADHD symptoms (15 per group). Simple randomization at the individual level was performed using SPSS version 27. No pharmacological intervention was involved.

Children were randomly assigned to receive either the BARAN cognitive-balance rehabilitation program or storytelling sessions (active control) at Atieh Occupational Therapy Clinic, Isfahan. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 1-year follow-up using the Day/Night Stroop, Corsi Block Task, Shape Trail Test, and a behavioral questionnaire.

Children aged 60 to 72 months with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder symptoms, normal intelligence quotient, and parental consent. Children with confirmed physical impairment preventing participation in balance exercises were excluded.

Intervention group: BARAN cognitive rehabilitation package consisting of balance-cognitive tasks in 10 sessions of 45 minutes, three times per week Active control group: Storytelling sessions in 10 sessions of 45 minutes, three times per week

Inhibitory control (Day/Night Stroop Task); Working memory (Corsi Block Task); Cognitive flexibility (Shape Trail Test-Child Version); Behavioral problems (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version, BRIEF-P)

Simple randomization was performed at the individual level. After compiling the list of eligible participants, each participant was assigned a unique identifier and entered into SPSS version 27. Using the Select Cases option in the Data menu, the Random Sample of Cases feature was applied to randomly select 50% of participants (n=15). Those selected were allocated to the intervention group, while the remaining 15 participants were assigned to the active control group. A random seed was set in SPSS to ensure complete randomization. Allocation concealment was maintained by keeping the allocation list with the principal investigator, ensuring that the session facilitator was unaware of group assignments.

The complete de-identified individual participant dataset from this study, after full removal of identifying information (name, surname, and other identifying details), will be available for sharing. This dataset includes pre- and post-intervention and follow up scores for all 4 primary outcome variables (inhibitory control score on the Day/Night Stroop task, working memory score on the Corsi Block Task, cognitive flexibility score on the Shape Trail Test, and behavioral problems score on the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function–Preschool Version), along with baseline demographic variables (age, sex, and allocated group: intervention or control). No identifying information about the children or their parents (such as name, address, or contact number) will be included in any part of the shared data.

The access period will begin 6 months after publication of the resulting article and will continue for 3 years thereafter.

Researchers affiliated with academic and scientific institutions who submit a reasonable and justified request for research purposes.

Data and documents may be used solely for research purposes (such as meta-analysis, re-analysis, or secondary studies) with proper citation of the source. Commercial use of the data is not permitted.

Requests should be sent via email to the corresponding author (Zahra Khaki Bakhtiarvand) at [khaki_z@icss.ac.ir]. Postal address: No. 81, Before Laleh Dead End, Mirza Kouchak Khan Bypass, Isfahan, Iran.

Upon receipt of a request via email, the request will be reviewed by the corresponding author within 2 weeks. If approved, a Data Use Agreement will be sent to the requester, and upon signing, the data/documents will be provided within 1 month.