BACKGROUND
Despite growing evidence showing the effects of exercise and cognitive trainings on enhancing attention, little is known about the combined effects of Exergame on attention in children with ADHD. Exergame, a form of exercise using videogame, has both cognitive stimulation and physical activity components and has shown to improve cognitive function in children.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Exergame on attention and to compare the effect induced by Exergame with the effect of aerobic exercise on attention in children with ADHD.
METHODS
Thirty children with ADHD, aged between 8 and 12 years old, were randomly divided into an Exergame group (EXG, n=16) or a bicycle exercise group (BEG, n=14). Before and after the 4-week intervention, the Frankfurter Aufmerksamkeits-Inventar (FAIR) test was administrated and event-related potentials (ERP) during the Go/No-go task was measured to assess attention.
RESULTS
After intervention, both EXG and BEG significantly increased selective attention and continuous attention, and self-control on the FAIR test. Similarly, both EXG and BEG significantly reduced RT on the Go/No-go test. To the Go response, the N2 amplitude was significantly increased in Fz in EXG, but not changed in BEG. Importantly, the N2 amplitude in Fz was significantly greater in the EXG compared to BEG.
CONCLUSIONS
Exergame has the comparable effects to cycling exercise to enhance attention in children with ADHD, suggesting that Exergaming can be used as an alternative treatment for children with ADHD.
CLINICALTRIAL