A possible correlation between vestibular stimulation and auditory comprehension in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

Abstract

Twenty children, aged 10 to 12 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were selected to study the effect of vestibular stimulation on auditory perception and sensitivity using the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA CPT; a neuropsychological test that is applied in occupational therapy clinics). The present study examined children based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition, text revision. After obtaining guardian and parental consent, the children were enrolled in the study and randomly matched according to age across intervention and control groups. The IVA CPT was applied as a pre-test. The children in the intervention group then received vestibular stimulation during therapy sessions twice per week for 10 weeks. The IVA CPT assessment (post-test) was then applied in both groups. The mean pre- and post-test scores were compared across groups. The statistical analyses revealed a significant difference in improvement in auditory comprehension. In conclusion, the present findings suggest that vestibular training is a reliable and powerful treatment option for ADHD, especially when combined with other training. Stimulating the sense of balance highlights the important interaction between inhibition and cognition.