The Effectiveness of an Intervention Based on Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation (ARAM) on Information Processing Speed and Visual–Spatial Perception in Students with Specific Learning Disorder

Shirzadi, Heydar; Hojjati, Mahbobe

doi:10.22098/jld.2026.18090.2273

The Effectiveness of an Intervention Based on Computerized Cognitive Rehabilitation (ARAM) on Information Processing Speed and Visual–Spatial Perception in Students with Specific Learning Disorder

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Heydar Shirzadi ¹
Mahbobe Hojjati ²

¹ MSc. Student in Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad Branch, Najafabad, Iran

² Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Najafabad, Iran

10.22098/jld.2026.18090.2273

Abstract

Objectives: Specific learning disability (SLD) is a common academic challenge affecting children’s cognitive skills and school performance. This study examined the effectiveness of the ARAM computer-based cognitive rehabilitation program on information processing speed and visual–spatial perception in students with SLD.

Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design with a control group was used. The participants were 30 male students aged 9–10 years with SLD, referred to the Darakhshesh Child and Adolescent Counseling Center in Najafabad in 2024. They were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups; after attrition, 27 students were analyzed. The WISC-V subtests of Coding and Symbol Search (for information processing speed) and Block Design and Visual Puzzles (for visual–spatial perception) were administered. The experimental group received 12 individual 45-minute sessions over four weeks, while the control group received no training. Data were analyzed using MANCOVA and ANCOVA in SPSS-27.

Results: Controlling for pretest scores, group membership significantly affected the dependent variables (Λ = 0.274, F(2,22) = 29.10, p < 0.001, η²p = 0.726). The intervention significantly improved both information processing speed and visual–spatial perception in the experimental group compared to controls.

Conclusion: ARAM cognitive rehabilitation effectively enhanced cognitive functions in students with SLD and can be implemented in schools and educational centers as a practical intervention.

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