The Impact of Mandala Coloring on the Executive Functions of Children with ADHD

Objectives: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a chronic and one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders that can significantly increase the risk of other psychiatric disorders, academic and occupational failure, accident, delinquency, social disability and addiction during one’s life. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of mandala coloring on the executive function of the children with ADHD.

Methods: This is a pre/post-test quasi experimental study with a control group. In this study, 38 children with ADHD were randomly assigned to the intervention and the control groups. In order to measure the executive functions, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) parent version was used. The mandala coloring program was performed in 10 sessions for the intervention group, while the control group received routine services. Then the data was analyzed by calculating the mean and the variance through applying ANCOVA, paired t-test and independent t-test.

Results: The data showed that mandala coloring had an impact on the executive function of the children with ADHD. In the intervention group, there was a significant difference in the mean score of executive function before and after the intervention (P<0.001), showing an improvement in the executive function in this group.

Conclusion: Mandala coloring improved children's executive functions, which can be a turning point in controlling the symptoms of children with ADHD.