The Effectiveness of Cognitive Rehabilitation on Improving Selective Attention, Cognitive Flexibility and Academic Progress of Students with Specific Learning Disorders

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Psychology, Faculty Humanities, Semnan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran.

2 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, Semnan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran.

3 Department of Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran.

4 Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.

Abstract

The aim of this research was to investigate the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation in enhancing academic achievement, cognitive flexibility, and selective attention in students with specific learning disabilities. This applied study employed a semi-experimental design with pretest-posttest, a quantitative research method, and an experimental and control group. The population included all elementary school pupils who were referred to learning disability centers in Zanjan during the academic year 2021-2022. A total of 40 participants (22 boys and 18 girls) were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (each group, 20 participants). The selection was conducted through convenience sampling. The control group was placed on a waiting list, while the experimental group received 12 sessions of cognitive rehabilitation interventions. The Stroop and Wisconsin Card Sorting Tests were employed to capture data, which were subsequently analyzed using SPSS24 and repeated measures analysis. The findings showed that after cognitive rehabilitation, the level of selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and academic achievement of the participants increased significantly. Selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and academic achievement were significantly different between the experimental and control groups in the pretest, posttest, and follow-up (P<0.01). Therefore, it is possible to infer that cognitive rehabilitation had a beneficial impact on the academic performance, cognitive flexibility, and selective attention of students with specific learning disabilities. Cognitive rehabilitation is an effective therapeutic approach that learning disability centers should employ to enhance the cognitive performance of students with specific learning disabilities.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Applied Psychological Research
Volume 15, Issue 1
2024
Pages 317-340

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  • Receive Date: 20 March 2023
  • Revise Date: 19 May 2023
  • Accept Date: 03 June 2023
  • First Publish Date: 27 September 2023
  • Publish Date: 09 June 2024

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