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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:
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:
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non Gamified N-back Training | Experimental | Participants train on a non gamified version of the N-back task. |
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| Gamified N-back Training | Experimental | Participants train on a gamified version of the N-back task. |
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| Multiple Domain Training | Experimental | Participants train on N-Back, Complex Span, Set Shifting (Polyrules), and Inhibitory Control. |
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| Non Gamified N-back Training with Coaching | Experimental | Participants train on a non gamified version of the N-Back task and will receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference. |
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| Gamified N-back Training with Coaching | Experimental | Participants train on a gamified version of the N-back task and will receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference. |
| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nongamified N-back training | Behavioral | This Single Task Training is an adaptive N-back task in which participants respond to colors and/or shapes. |
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| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Adherence Composite | An Adherence Composite will be an aggregate score between (1) Participant compliance assessed by the number of completed training sessions completed within guidelines. For each completed training session that complies with the schedule, participants will receive one point, for a total of 40 possible points; (2) Self-reported engagement: After each training session, children are asked to rate their level of engagement using a Likert scale. The dependent variable will be the average engagement rating across all completed sessions; and (3) Effort, which is assessed by fitting a curve to daily training performance with 1 point given for each session where performance is at or above 0.5 SD of the daily estimate for a total of 40 possible points. Furthermore, after each training session, children are asked to rate their level of effort put into the training using a visualized Likert scale. All adherence measures will be combined across all the measures to compute a composite score. | 40 training sessions (weeks 2-5) |
| Working Memory Composite | A composite score across 3 working memory measures will be computed. (1) Spatial working memory span is a game-like version of the Corsi-blocks task to assess visuospatial working memory; dependent variable: maximum span length. (2) Complex working memory span is similar to Spatial working memory span but also includes a sorting task in-between encoding trials; dependent variable: maximum span length. In (3) Letter-Number Sequencing, participants are presented with a series of intermixed stimuli (e.g., letters and numbers) and recall each stimulus category separately in numerical/alphabetical order; dependent variable: maximum span length. | pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |
| Inhibition/Flexibility Composite | A composite score across inhibitory control/set-shifting measures will be computed. (1) Continuous performance task, modeled after standard measures; dependent variable: hits minus false alarms. (2) Flanker task: classic flanker task; dependent variable: a score based upon speed and accuracy. (3) Rule Switch task a standard switching task; dependent variable: is a score based upon speed and accuracy. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Complex Cognition Composite | A composite across the following measures will be computed. (1) Fluid Intelligence will be measured with the UCMRT matrix reasoning task; dependent variable: number of correct responses. (2) Quantitative Skills will be assessed through a basic arithmetic task where participants quickly answer addition, subtraction multiplication, and division questions; dependent variable: number of correct responses. Finally, we test (3) Reading Speed will be assessed through a basic where short stories are read, and participants answer comprehension at the end of each passage; dependent variable: composite score of time to complete the task and number of correct responses. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Control Measures | We will also examine measures that we do not expect to change. Vocabulary and General Knowledge will be assessed using standardized tests that require participants to select the appropriate response among several alternatives. Dependent variable: number of correct responses. | pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |
Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audrey Carrillo, MA | Contact | (626) 482-8091 | a.carrillo@northeastern.edu | |
| Jinlin Liu, MA | Contact | (774) 226-9323‬ | jinl.liu@northeastern.edu |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Seitz, PhD | Northeastern University | Principal Investigator |
| Susanne Jaeggi, PhD | Northeastern University | Principal Investigator |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University | Recruiting | Boston | Massachusetts | 02115 | United States |
All individual participant data (anonymized).
Data will be available persistently at the conclusion of the study.
There are no access criteria.
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D001289 | Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D019958 | Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders |
| D065886 | Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
| D001523 | Mental Disorders |
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Participants will be assigned to one out of six training conditions. The training conditions are as follows: (1) Nongamified n-Back; (2) Gamified n-Back; (3) Multiple Domain Training; (4) Nongamified n-Back + Motivational Coaching; (5) Gamified n-Back + Motivational Coaching; (6) Multiple Domain Training + Motivational Coaching
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| Multiple Domain Training with Coaching | Experimental | Participants train on gamified N-back training, Complex Span, Set Shifting, and Inhibitory Control and also receive weekly, motivational coaching sessions via videoconference. |
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| 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. |
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| Multiple Domain Training | Behavioral | Participants train on a gamified versions of the N-back task, Complex span, Set-shifting and Inhibitory control task. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |
| pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |
| Well-Being Composite | A composite score across standardized surveys to assess self-perceived stress and quality of life will be used. | pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |
| Mental Health Composite | A composite across standardized surveys that capture ADHD symptoms will be used across the full sample; in addition, we will assess functional outcomes in the ADHD sample. | pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |
| Near Transfer | We will implement a non-trained version of the n-back task, and for those in the multi-component training group, we will also include non-trained versions of each of the trained tasks. Dependent variables: Speed and accuracy. | pre-test (week 1), post-test (week 6), and 1 follow-up session at least 6 months after post-test (week 30). |