Executive Function Training for Children and Adolescents
NCT ID: NCT07147894
Last Updated: 2025-12-23
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
780 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-12-14
2028-06-30
Brief Summary
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* 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
Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Keywords
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
BASIC_SCIENCE
DOUBLE
Study Groups
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Non Gamified N-back Training
Participants train on a non gamified version of the N-back task.
Nongamified N-back training
This Single Task Training is an adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes.
Gamified N-back Training
Participants train on a gamified version of the N-back task.
Gamified N-back training
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
Participants train on N-Back, Complex Span, Set Shifting (Polyrules), and Inhibitory Control.
Multiple Domain Training
Participants train on a gamified versions of the N-back task, Complex span, Set-shifting and Inhibitory control task.
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.
Nongamified N-back training
This Single Task Training trains a visual, adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes.
Coaching Session
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.
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.
Gamified N-back training
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.
Coaching Session
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.
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.
Multiple Domain Training
Participants train on a gamified versions of the N-back task, Complex span, Set-shifting and Inhibitory control task.
Coaching Session
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.
Interventions
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Nongamified N-back training
This Single Task Training is an adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes.
Gamified N-back training
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
Participants train on a gamified versions of the N-back task, Complex span, Set-shifting and Inhibitory control task.
Nongamified N-back training
This Single Task Training trains a visual, adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes.
Coaching Session
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.
Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Child must have a caregiver (parent/guardian) who is available to participate as a training aide.
* Child and parent/caregiver are able to understand/speak adequate English or Spanish to follow and participate in study procedures
* Both child and parent/guardian are willing to give informed consent/assent, be randomized to either intervention condition, and be willing to follow the assigned study protocol.
* \~50% of the participants: Meet criteria for ADHD DSM-5 diagnosis.
Exclusion Criteria
* Child has been formally identified as intellectually disabled.
* Abnormal visual acuity or hearing challenges that are prohibitive to participating in the intervention/assessment.
* History of organic mental disorders (conditions or disturbances that may be caused by injuries and/or neurodegenerative diseases affecting brain tissues), psychosis, history of autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disability, or active substance use or suicidal ideation (such individuals will be referred to psychiatric services).
* Major sensory or motor impairment that would preclude valid cognitive testing.
* Participants with color blindness, if they are unable to discriminate the task relevant stimuli.
* Populations considered vulnerable such as wards and those with neurological or other health conditions that may prevent the ability to give informed consent.
12 Years
17 Years
ALL
Yes
Sponsors
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Northeastern University
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Principal Investigators
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Aaron Seitz, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Northeastern University
Susanne Jaeggi, PhD
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Northeastern University
Locations
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Northeastern University
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Jinlin Liu, MA
Role: primary
Other Identifiers
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NU-23-05-12
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id