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NCT Number: NCT07786532

Effect of Sports Based Structured Cognitive Therapy Program on Attention, Memory and Behavior for School Going Children

This randomized controlled trial will evaluate the effect of a sports-based structured cognitive therapy program on attention, memory, and behavior in school-going children aged 8-12 years with mild to moderate attention or behavioral difficulties. A total of 52 participants will be randomly allocated to either an experimental group receiving an 8-week sports-based structured cognitive therapy program or a control group receiving conventional physical activity. The intervention will be delivered three times per week. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, Week 4, and Week 8 using the Stroop Test, Teacher Report Form (TRF), and Behavior Rating Scale to determine changes in attention, memory, and behavior

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Key information

Conditions

Behavior Problems Attention Problems Behavior Cognitive Functions Mental Disorders

Age range

8 year–12 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Gghss Sarai Naimat Khan Haripur

Chak Six Hundred Twenty-four, Kpk, 25000, Pakistan

Location status: Recruiting

About this study

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a sports-based structured cognitive therapy program on attention, memory, and behavior in school-going children aged 8-12 years with mild to moderate attention or behavioral difficulties. The primary objective is to determine whether participation in an 8-week sports-based structured cognitive therapy program improves attention, memory, and behavior compared with conventional physical activity. Attention will be assessed using the Stroop Test, behavioral and academic functioning using the Teacher Report Form (TRF), and behavior using the Behavior Rating Scale.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • School-going children aged 8-12 years.
  • Children with mild to moderate attention or behavioral difficulties.
  • Children enrolled in participating primary or secondary schools in Haripur District.
  • Written informed consent obtained from a parent or legal guardian.

Exclusion criteria

  • Children diagnosed with severe neurological or psychiatric disorders.
  • Children with physical disabilities that prevent participation in sports-based activities.
  • Children currently participating in another structured cognitive or physical intervention program.

Treatment and study plan

Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy Program

Behavioral

Participants will receive an 8-week Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy Program delivered three times per week. The program combines structured physical activities with cognitive tasks designed to improve attention, memory, executive function, and behavioral regulation through attention drills, memory exercises, and behavior-regulation games.

Conventional Physical Activity

Behavioral

Participants will receive conventional physical activity consisting of routine exercise-based activities including warm-up exercises, stretching, balance activities, classroom games, and cool-down exercises for 45-60 minutes per session, three sessions per week for 8 weeks, without structured cognitive training.

Primary outcomes

  1. Stroop Interference Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

    The Stroop Test will be used to assess selective attention and inhibitory control. The outcome will be measured using the Stroop Interference Score. Lower interference scores indicate better inhibitory control and attention.

  2. Teacher Report Form (TRF) T-score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

    The Teacher Report Form (TRF) will be used to assess behavioral, emotional, and academic functioning in the school environment. The outcome will be summarized using the standardized TRF T-score according to the scoring procedures of the instrument.

  3. Behavior Rating Scale Total Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

    The Behavior Rating Scale will be used to assess behavioral functioning in children. The outcome will be summarized using the total score obtained according to the scoring procedures of the scale.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Movement-Sequence Recall Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

    Memory performance will be assessed using a movement-sequence recall task. The outcome will be summarized as the number of movement sequences correctly recalled.

  2. Number Recall Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

    Memory performance will be assessed using a number-recall task. The outcome will be summarized as the number of numerical sequences correctly recalled.

  3. Word Recall Score

    Time frame: Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

    Memory performance will be assessed using a word-recall task. The outcome will be summarized as the number of words correctly recalled.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Zobia Naseem, MS

CONTACT

[email protected]

+923321963584

noreen khan, Phd

CONTACT

03369687196

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Riphah International University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of a Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy Program on Attention, Memory, and Behavior in School-Going Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 26, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 26, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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