Enhancing Working Memory in Young Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Cognitive Intervention Protocol Using Virtual Reality

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and/or Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neuro-developmental disorder that severely impacts the daily lives of affected individuals due to dysfunctions in executive functions, especially in working memory (WM). Although pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments alleviate the core symptoms, they often do not fully tackle cognitive difficulties. Besides, cognitive enhancement programs show limited transfer of skills to everyday life. Virtual Reality (VR) emerges as an innovative approach, as it offers immersive and engaging environments, while also increasing ecological validity. The present study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a brief with three sessions VR-based WM training protocol for young adults with ADHD. It also explored the near-transfer and far-transfer effects on other cognitive functions. 20 participants with ADHD (18-35 years old) were semi-randomly assigned to either a VR training group or a VR active control group. Their cognitive performance was assessed using neuropsychological tests before and after the training. Participants also completed questionnaires concerning their game experience after each training session. Results showed some limited effects on the direct measures of WM, with training-related improvements emerging mainly in far transfer domains, such as fluid intelligence and processing speed, compared to the control group. Regarding the game experience, participants reported high engagement, and interestingly, no dropouts occurred, thus highlighting the feasibility of the training protocol. These findings suggest that while a brief VR training protocol may not strongly enhance WM directly, it can foster broader cognitive benefits and provide a cost- and time-efficient complementary tool for ADHD management.