Empowering Exceptional Children

Empowering Exceptional Children

Development of an Educational Program of Manual-Computer Interactive Cognitive Exercises with Neuropsychological Approach and Evaluation of Its Effectiveness on Working Memory of Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
ZOHREH MAHDIAN 1
Samira Vakili 2
Leila Zeinolabedin 3
1 PhD in Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Dept of Psychology and Education of Exceptional Children, Faculty of Literature, Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3 PhD student in Educational Sciences with a specialization in Educational Management, Faculty of Humanities, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/ceciranj.2025.509755.1943
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to design and develop an educational program involving manual-computer interactive cognitive exercises with a neuropsychological approach, and to evaluate its effectiveness on the working memory of children with neurodevelopmental disorders. In this research, interactive cognitive exercises using a manual-computer approach with a neuropsychological perspective were designed, and their validity was confirmed by specialists. The program's effectiveness was then evaluated through a quasi-experimental research design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages conducted on the sample group. The statistical population of this research included children aged 7 to 11 years with neurodevelopmental disorders in Tehran. The sample group was selected using accessible and purposive sampling. Following random assignment to experimental and control groups, the package of interactive manual-computer cognitive exercises with a neuropsychological approach was conducted over 30 sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, six times a week for the experimental group. The control group did not receive any intervention. A follow-up assessment was carried out two months after the intervention. The Wechsler Memory Scale (1987) subscale was used as the evaluation tool. Data were analyzed using multivariate covariance analysis with repeated measures through SPSS software. The interactive cognitive exercises involving a manual-computer approach grounded in neuropsychology significantly enhanced the working memory of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (P < 0.01, effect size = 0.35). Furthermore, the effectiveness of these exercises was maintained two months post-intervention. The interactive cognitive exercises utilizing a manual-computer approach grounded in neuropsychology have proven to be effective in improving the working memory of children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
Keywords
Children
Interactive Cognitive Exercises Using a Manual-Computer
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Neuropsychological Approach
Working Memory

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 01 January 2025
  • Revise Date 13 April 2025
  • Accept Date 27 May 2025