Affiliations: [a] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Turkey
| [b] Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| [c] Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Elif Durgut, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bezmialem Vakif University, Silahtaraga St. No: 189, Alibeykoy 34060, Istanbul, Turkey. Tel.: +90 544 5706632; E-mails: ptelifdurgut@yahoo.com, EDurgut@bezmialem.edu.tr
Abstract: OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study was to compare the effects of treadmill training (TT) and whole body vibration training (WBVT) on attention, severity of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and impairment of executive function behaviors, and quality of life in children with ADHD. METHODS:Thirty children (7–11 years of age) with ADHD were randomly assigned to either the ‘TT’ group or the ‘WBVT in addition to TT’ group (TT + WBVT). Both groups received TT for 8 weeks (3 days/week). The TT + WBWT group also received WBVT for 15 minutes. Stroop Test TBAG form, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), Conners’ Rating Scale (CRS) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) were applied at baseline and after 8 weeks of training. RESULTS:All assessment results significantly improved in both groups at the end of the program compared to baseline values (p < 0,05). There were significant differences between groups regarding improvements in CTRS-R/L and BRIEF-Teacher form in favor of the TT + WBVT group. CONCLUSIONS:The findings suggest that exercise training including TT and WBVT might be used in the treatment of ADHD but further research is required to provide evidence of the effectiveness of the whole body vibration training in the management of ADHD.
Keywords: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, treadmill training, whole body vibration training, ADHD symptoms, executive functions, quality of life
