Page 119 - AN-3-4

Advanced Neurology Transforming ADHD through interactive gaming

individuals with ADHD can live productive and enjoyable Table 1. ADHD treatment methods
lives.
Treatment method Approach
1.1. ADHD Behavioral therapy • A therapeutic approach for reducing ADHD
symptoms.
ADHD is not a newly discovered disorder. In fact, its • The initial treatment is performed when the
history dates back approximately two centuries, with diagnosis is positive for ADHD. 8
clinical reports in Europe noting the unruly behavior of Medication • Medications can help manage ADHD
children. Since then, the research on ADHD has been based symptoms but do not rectify them.
on two different perspectives: biomedical and historical- • Medications act differently in different people.
behavioral psychology. From the former perspective, • Proven to have side effects such as sleep
3
ADHD is a neurobehavioral condition in individuals, deprivation and reduced appetite. 8
starting from childhood. According to the National Health Cognitive training 9,10 • Helps the individual control ADHD symptoms
by altering his/her thoughts and behaviors.
Service (NHS), individuals with ADHD exhibit various • Cognitive training is achieved via talking
characteristics such as restlessness, diminished focus, therapy, training exercises, or cognitive
deficient concentration skills, and the propensity to act improvement games.
impulsively. It is not a spreadable disease, but a group of Food diet 9 • Focuses on a healthy and balanced diet.
hyperactive symptoms that cause changes in an individual’s Abbreviation: ADHD: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
behavior, emotional intelligence, psychological well-being,
and learning capabilities. 4
increase in the number of online game players. According
The signs and symptoms of ADHD can be observed to a study by Statista, the number of video gamers in 2023
in the early stages of childhood, becoming more evident was 2.64 billion, which is expected to increase by 2027. 11
by the changing environment (e.g., when the child starts
school). Subsequently, this disorder in a child can overlap As a possible treatment approach for ADHD, video
with normal behavior development. In this regard, games may represent a useful tool. Previous studies
diagnostic manuals, such as the DSM-5, ICD-11, and have shown that people generally respond well to game
RDoC, prefer the diagnosis of ADHD in individuals under instructions and follow them within the designated time
the age of 12, especially if they display multiple inattentive frame. Such games can have numerous benefits such as
and hyperactive-impulsive signs. Meanwhile, according timely task completion, attention to detail, concentration
5
to The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus skills, persistence, and the motivation to learn and
Statement, 208 evidence-based conclusions indicate that succeed. 8-11 Based on all these factors, video games can
5.9% of youth and 2.5% of adults are diagnosed with ADHD remediate the attitudinal, behavioral, and emotional
12
symptoms. When gender is taken into account, males are processes of individuals with impulse-related disorders.
6
more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD, with a male-to- With the ongoing technological advancements, doctors and
female ratio of up to 4:1, especially among children. 7 health professionals should search for more sophisticated
and cost-effective treatment methods, which include video
1.2. Treatment methods games. Some of the latest video games that are designed to
When an individual is diagnosed with ADHD, the common treat, control, and even cure certain health conditions are
procedure is to follow a treatment regime. Table 1 presents presented in Table 2.
the wide array of available ADHD treatment methods. 1.3. Design and purpose of ADHD games
This comprehensive overview of approaches shows how
treatments can assist in the recovery (or management) of Thus, the purpose of this study is to leverage on game
individuals with ADHD. therapy for ADHD and develop a unique platform for
individuals with ADHD. This research was inspired by
In regard to these different approaches, it is worth
noting that games can be designed and applied as a the study of Craven and Groom, which focused on the
following three approaches.
13
treatment method for improving the cognitive abilities
of users. For instance, various brain games, puzzles, brain First, there is the task-focused approach, which aims to
teasers, and quizzes can foster the development of specific enhance human performance, attention, and perception
brain functions, including memory, problem-solving, by challenging the user with a dynamic environment that
and thinking skills. Video games may also aid children in tests his/her speed and agility in completing the task. In
leveraging feelings and emotions such as sadness, anger, this regard, Oei and Patterson conducted research on
and competitiveness among other players. In this context, the executive functions of gamers and found that action,
since the era of COVID-19, there has been a notable puzzle, or memory games tend to have improvised

Volume 3 Issue 4 (2024) 2 doi: 10.36922/an.4073