Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy Based on Executive Functions in the Improvement of Executive Functions in Individual with ADHD

The aim of the current study was to examine the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy based on executive functions in improving the executive functions in students with Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This study was carried out in 2011-2012 academic year using pre­-­post- test design with a control group. Students of Mashhad’s Ferdowsi University who were previously diagnosed with ADHD or who were showing the symptoms of ADHD at the time of the study were invited to participate in this study. Primary diagnosis was based on the Barkley Adult ADHD Rating Scale—IV (BAARS-IV) and final diagnosis of the disorder was done through psychiatric interview. Finally, 32 students were selected as the subjects of the study and were randomly divided into a control and an experimental group. The experimental group received EF based cognitive-behavioral group therapy. In addition to BAARS-IV all participants completed Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale (BDEFS) at pre­-­post-test assessments. Results of MANCOVA & ANCOVA tests showed that participants in the experimental group improved their executive functions including time management, planning, organization, self-motivation, and emotional self-regulation. Results of the study demonstrated that EF based cognitive-behavioral group therapy was effective in improving the executive functions in student with ADHD. Therefore, along with other treatments this treatment can be used as a modern approach for improving the executive functions of students with ADHD.