Psychology of Exceptional Individuals

A Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Executive Functions-Based Interventions on Improving Information Processing Speed

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

saeed armun 1
shahram vahedi 2
rahim badri gargari 2
leila mehdizade fanid 3

1 Ph.D. student in Educational Psychology, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran.

3 Professor, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22054/jpe.2026.92316.2933
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to describe, analyze, and draw overall conclusions regarding the effectiveness of executive function-based interventions on improving information processing speed. The method employed in this study was meta-analysis, conducted using both fixed-effect and random-effects models. The identification, screening, eligibility assessment, and selection of studies were carried out in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The statistical population of the study comprised all theses and articles published in the last 14 years, both within Iran and outside Iran, which were systematically searched in databases including IranDoc, SID (Scientific Information Database), MagIran, Noormags, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, PubMed, ERIC, Scopus, Web of Science, and ISC (Islamic World Science Citation Center) Humanities Comprehensive Portal in 2025. Following the review and retrieval of various studies based on the predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 21 articles entered the analysis process, corresponding to 43 meta-analytic units. Furthermore, data analysis was conducted using CMA-2 software. The results of the analysis revealed that the combined effect size was 1.284 in the fixed-effect model and 1.211 in the random-effects model, which were statistically significant (p < .05). Therefore, it can be concluded that executive function-based interventions had a large effect on improving information processing speed. Accordingly, relevant stakeholders are recommended to make maximum use of executive function-based interventions in order to enhance students' information processing speed.

Keywords

Executive Functions
Information Processing Speed
Cognitive Interventions
Coding
Symbol Search
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Psychology of Exceptional Individuals
Volume 16, Issue 61
Winter 2026
Pages 170-204

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