Objective:

This randomized controlled study explored the efficacy, feasibility, and acceptability of executive function training (EFT) for preschool children with ADHD.

Method:

The current study design was an 8 week randomized parallel groups, single-blinded trial, using EFT-P. A total of 96 children with an ADHD diagnosis at age 4 to 5 years old were randomized into the intervention group and waitlist group. In the intervention group, 46 out of 50 participants completed the 8-week program, compared with 39 out of 46 in the waiting group. The level of ADHD symptoms and the executive function (EF) were evaluated by both neuropsychological tests from NEPSY Second Edition (NEPSY-II) and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function Preschool version (BRIEF-P).

Results:

The EFT is feasible to administer and is acceptable for preschool children, with a 93% retention rate. Results showed that following the intervention, the visual-motor precision (p = .024), ADHD diagnostic state (p = .01), and oppositional defiant symptoms (p = .023) improved significantly in preschool children. However, the symptoms of ADHD and other EF evaluations were found to be insignificant.

Conclusion:

The EFT is feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective to reduce symptoms and improve EF for preschool children with ADHD. The next step is to extend the program time and provide more frequent practice of activities between the children and the therapist and/or parent, to improve the effectiveness.

中文翻译：

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多动症学龄前儿童的执行功能训练：一项随机对照试验。

客观的：

这项随机对照研究探讨了执行功能训练 (EFT) 对患有多动症的学龄前儿童的有效性、可行性和可接受性。

方法：

目前的研究设计是一项为期 8 周的随机平行组、单盲试验，使用 EFT-P。共有 96 名 4 至 5 岁诊断为 ADHD 的儿童随机分为干预组和候补组。在干预组，50 名参与者中有 46 人完成了为期 8 周的计划，而等待组 46 人中有 39 人完成了为期 8 周的计划。ADHD 症状水平和执行功能 (EF) 通过 NEPSY 第二版 (NEPSY-II) 的神经心理学测试和执行功能学前版 (BRIEF-P) 的行为评定量表进行评估。

结果：

EFT 管理可行，学龄前儿童可以接受，保留率为 93%。结果表明，干预后， 学龄前儿童的视觉运动精度 ( p = .024)、ADHD 诊断状态 ( p  = .01) 和对立违抗症状 ( p  = .023) 显着改善。然而，发现 ADHD 和其他 EF 评估的症状是微不足道的。

结论：

EFT 是可行的，可接受的，并且可能有效地减轻症状和改善患有 ADHD 的学龄前儿童的 EF。下一步是延长计划时间并在儿童与治疗师和/或父母之间提供更频繁的活动练习，以提高有效性。