Striving for a Conscious Slowing Down
Simone Mosca, Carmen Napolitano, Mariella Pazzaglia
Time perception plays a crucial role in behavioural regulation and cognitive functions, which are often impaired in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study investigated the effectiveness of a multisensory rhythmic training programme in modulating temporal perception and psychophysiological activation (HRV) in children with ADHD, comparing the results with a typically developing (TD) control group. Twelve participants, evenly divided between the two groups, took part in four rhythmic training sessions involving synchronization, imitation, and temporal anticipation exercises, supported by auditory and tactile/proprioceptive stimuli. Results show that, following the intervention, children with ADHD improved their ability to perceive and predict time, achieving performance levels comparable to those of their TD peers. HRV analysis revealed an increase in parasympathetic activity and a decrease in average heart rate, indicating improved physiological regulation. The collected data supports the utility of multisensory rhythmic training as a complementary intervention to enhance self-regulation and temporal skills in children with ADHD. These findings open new avenues for integrating rhythm-based approaches into clinical and educational practice.
Keywords
ADHD, Time Perception, Rhythmic Training, Metronome, Heart Rate Variability, self-regulation, multisensory stimulation
