Efficacy of the MovinCog Intervention in Children

University of Auckland, New Zealand

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Learning Disabilities; Cognitive Change; Learning Disorders

Treatments: Behavioral: Cognitive; Behavioral: Active control; Behavioral: Exercise

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03255499

MC081017

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to test the efficacy of the MovinCog Intervention to enhance cognitive abilities in children 7-15 yrs. The intervention consists of two parts: a physical exercise regimen, based on high-intensity training, and a cognitive training component. The design will contrast the intervention with an active control group, matched for expectancy effects.

Full description

Specifically, the investigators will compare both components together (exercise and cognitive training) against either one of the components (exercise alone, or cognitive training alone) and against an active control group. The study will include measures of scholastic aptitude, as well as of working memory and cognitive control (primary outcome measures), two cognitive abilities that are critical to daily life activities, and that respond well to training. In addition, the investigators will measure physiological responses to training, to monitor changes associated with exercise (secondary outcome measures). Finally, the investigators will relate training-specific improvements with transfer gains, to better model the interaction between training and transfer. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics associated with the intervention.

Enrollment: 1,000 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 7 to 15 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Age 7-15

Exclusion criteria

• Age outside inclusion criteria
• History of seizures, brain trauma

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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1,000 participants in 4 patient groups

Exercise and cognitive training

Experimental group

Description:

This intervention includes a combination of high-intensity exercise (10min/day) and computerized cognitive training (20min/day). The software for the latter has been developed by our group, and includes 8 mini-games targeting different cognitive abilities. Both are developed for the MovinCog intervention. The intervention is personalized, based on individual performance.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive

Behavioral: Exercise

Exercise

Experimental group

Description:

High-intensity training regimen, 10min/day. Developed for the MovinCog intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Exercise

Cognitive training

Experimental group

Description:

Computerized cognitive training, 20min/day. Developed for the MovinCog intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Cognitive

Games

Active Comparator group

Description:

The active control is composed of a blend of board games, computer games, and trivia quizzes. Specific content is personalized based on individual preferences, so as to reflect the flexibility of the experimental arms.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Active control