Executive Function Training for Children and Adolescents

Part of paid clinical trials in Boston, Massachusetts.

Sponsor
Northeastern University
Study ID
NCT07147894
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

  • Cognitive Change

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
12 Years - 17 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Interventions

  • Nongamified N-back training — BEHAVIORAL
    This Single Task Training is an adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes.
  • Gamified N-back training — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants train on a gamified version of the N-back task, specifically, players control an astronaut that collects resources (target stimuli) needed to feed a colony and keep the technology working, while avoiding non-targets and other obstacles.
  • Multiple Domain Training — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants train on a gamified versions of the N-back task, Complex span, Set-shifting and Inhibitory control task.
  • Nongamified N-back training — BEHAVIORAL
    This Single Task Training trains a visual, adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes.
  • Coaching Session — BEHAVIORAL
    Participants in coaching conditions receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference to (i) provide encouragement taking into account individual training performance and self-reported engagement (strength-based feedback), (ii) set realistic goals for training (time management, scheduling, and session completion plan, performance goals) while emphasizing autonomy and choice, and (iii) re-explain task and provide corrective feedback as needed.

Study Details

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate how different approaches to executive function (like adding game-like features, varying the number of tasks, and providing coaching) can enhance executive function outcomes in adolescents with and without ADHD. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What components of executive function training contribute most to improving outcomes? * How do training components vary in their impacts on adolescents diagnosed with ADHD compared to those without a diagnosis? * What individual characteristics influence the effectiveness of executive function training? Researchers will test six different training setups to examine which setups are the most effective for different people. They will evaluate both how well participants follow the training schedule and whether there are changes in psychological and cognitive outcomes after training. Participants will complete: * 40 training sessions over 4 weeks * A set of tests and surveys before and after the training * Follow-up assessments and surveys 6 months after finishing the training

Key Dates

Start date
Dec 14, 2025
Status verified
Dec 2025
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2028
Completion
Jun 30, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
780 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

  • Experimental: Non Gamified N-back Training
    Participants train on a non gamified version of the N-back task.
  • Experimental: Gamified N-back Training
    Participants train on a gamified version of the N-back task.
  • Experimental: Multiple Domain Training
    Participants train on N-Back, Complex Span, Set Shifting (Polyrules), and Inhibitory Control.
  • Experimental: Non Gamified N-back Training with Coaching
    Participants train on a non gamified version of the N-Back task and will receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference.
  • Experimental: Gamified N-back Training with Coaching
    Participants train on a gamified version of the N-back task and will receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference.
  • Experimental: Multiple Domain Training with Coaching
    Participants train on gamified N-back training, Complex Span, Set Shifting, and Inhibitory Control and also receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference.

Primary Outcome Measure

Adherence Composite [ Time Frame: 40 training sessions (weeks 2-5) ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
Northeastern UniversityBostonMassachusetts02115
Jinlin Liu, MA
Aaron Seitz, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)
Susanne Jaeggi, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

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By research site
Northeastern University· Boston, MA

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