Effects of Modified Nature Stimuli on Children With ADHD

Abstract

Attention restoration theory (ART) suggests that natural environments demand fewer cognitive resources, allowing for a fast recovery from attention fatigue (Kaplan,1995). Modified nature therapy is often used on medical patients experiencing disorders such as anxiety, depression, and dementia. Previous studies have proven authentic and modified nature to positively affect attention, mood, cognition, and working memory intervals. Nature stimuli can reduce psychological symptoms that are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes age-inappropriate attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity levels. Studies have suggested that an individual's access to green spaces affects the likelihood of developing ADHD symptoms as a child (Yang et., 2019). Urban communities often lack green amenities such as parks, gardens, and fields, often burdened with a high volume of traffic pollution and noise. This thesis examines and analyses previous studies on the effects of modified nature on cognition, attention, and working memory. The proposed research explores the impact of incorporating modified nature stimuli into urban elementary classrooms through imagery, videos, and sound. Different forms of modified nature stimuli are hypothesized to improve classroom attention, cognition, and working memory, ultimately treating common ADHD symptoms found in urban children. The third-grade participants will be assessed on their ADHD symptoms through a Vanderbilt ADHD Parent Rating Scale (VAPERS), followed by a Stroop color test to measure processing speed, and a person's selective attention aptitude and skills, and a Digit span test to assess working memory, visuospatial processing, and attention; patients will be evaluated before and after the 15-week trial period.