The effectiveness of percussion exercises on theory of mind and types of attention in attention deficit disorder

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.S. Student Motor Behavior, Faculty of Humanities, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Humanities, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

Abstract

One of the main problems of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is attention deficit, and according to various studies, it is associated with cognitive and social deficits that are associated with a deficiency in theory of mind. Rhythmic body percussion exercises can stimulate their cognitive motor area. The aim of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of percussion exercises on theory of mind and types of attention in attention deficit disorder.

Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all female elementary school students aged 7-9 years in Mashhad, 30 of whom were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria and the diagnosis of hyperactivity using the Connors questionnaire (teacher form) and were divided into two experimental and control groups (n=15) by simple randomization. In the pre-test, all participants completed the shifting and sustained attention tests and the theory of mind questionnaire. Then, the experimental group received body percussion exercises for 12 sessions, 3 one-hour sessions per week. After the last session, the items measured in the pre-test were repeated by both groups. To analyze the results, multivariate analysis of covariance was used at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05.

Results: The results showed that body percussion exercises were able to lead to improvements in the attention span and sustained attention (P=0.001) as well as the theory of mind of hyperactive elementary school children in the experimental

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 26 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 07 August 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 August 2025

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