Comparison of the computerized cognitive rehabilitation and drug therapy in the treatment of attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder

INTERVENTION: For first experimental group (computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation): the intervention included 20 hours (20 one‐hour‐sessions) of executive functions training using a computer. Trained executive functions included: verbal working memory; visuo‐spatial working memory; sustained attention; response inhibition; planning and organization; and information processing speed. Total period of intervention was 2 months. For second experimental group (drug therapy group): The intervention included 2 or 3 doses of Immediate‐release Methylphenidate (Ritalin) per day (each doses included one Ritalin pill). This intervention lasted 2 months. Intervention 1: For first experimental group (computer assisted cognitive rehabilitation): the intervention included 20 hours (20 one‐hour‐sessions) of executive functions training using a computer. Trained executive functions included: verbal working memory; visuo‐spatial working memory; sustained attention; response inhibition; planning and organization; and information processing speed. Total period of intervention was 2 months. Intervention 2: For second experimental group (drug therapy group): The intervention included 2 or 3 doses of Immediate‐release Methylphenidate (Ritalin) per day (each doses included one Ritalin pill). This intervention lasted 2 months. Rehabilitation Treatment ‐ Drugs CONDITION: Disturbance of activity and attention Disturbance of activity and attention. ; Disturbance of activity and attention PRIMARY OUTCOME: Intesity of ADHD, combined subtype. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Persian version of SNAP‐IV scale. Intesity of ADHD, hyperactive/ impulsive subtype. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Persian version of SNAP‐IV scale. Intesity of ADHD, inattentive subtype. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Persian version of SNAP‐IV scale. Planning. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Persian version of tower of London test. Raven's IQ test. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Raven's colored progressive matrices (Raven, 1995). Respons inhibition. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Persian version of continuous performance test (CPT). Sustained attention. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Persian version of continuous performance test (CPT). Verbal working memory. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Digit span test from the WISC‐R IQ test (Wechsler, 1981). Visuo‐spatial working memory. Timepoint: preintervention, postintervention, and one month after Intervention has finished. Method of measurement: Span board task from Wechsler RNI batterey (Kaplan, Fein, Morris, and Delis, 1991). INCLUSION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: receiving ADHD diagnosis using psychiatric interviews and behavioral rating scales; having an age between 7 and 11 years; IQ>85. Exclusion criteria: Having sever co‐morbid mental disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder, autism or asperger syndrom, and depression; a history of epileptic seizures during past 2 years; IQ<85; having some type of motor or perceptual disability which interferes with computer operation; having some kind of Medical condition which make one to seek immediate treatment.