Computer-based cognitive training programs: effects on executive functions in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Review question / Objective: This systematic review aimed to synthesize the existing literature reporting the effects of computer-based cognitive training on the executive functions of children with ADHD. Condition being studied: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder diagnosed in childhood, characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Today it is recognized that ADHD is associated with an alteration in the volume and level of activation in prefrontal areas related to executive functions. Based on these clinical findings, some authors suggest that ADHD is not a disorder of primary attention origin but instead responds to an alteration in the synaptic circuits of some brain areas, including the prefrontal neocortex, areas involved in cognitive regulation and control, and processes known as executive functions.