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NCT Number: NCT06512974

NeuroTrainer Cognitive Training For Academic Focus

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of NeuroTrainer cognitive training in improving attentional and executive control functions in students with and without attention-related difficulties.

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Key information

Age range

11 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Marquette Senior High School, Marquette, Michigan, United States

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About this study

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the feasibility and efficacy of NeuroTrainer cognitive training in improving attentional and executive control function in students with and without attention-related difficulties. The main questions it aims to answer are (1) does NeuroTrainer improve attentional and executive control function, (2) does NeuroTrainer engage the target of ADHD inattention symptoms by identifying the target and demonstrating proximal changes in it, and (3) does NeuroTrainer demonstrate transfer of skill with improvement in academic behaviors. Researchers will compare students who use NeuroTrainer to a control condition to see if the NeuroTrainer intervention produces significant improvements.

Participants in the intervention group will engage in virtual reality (VR) sessions which include physical activity and cognitive training. Cognitive training will maximize time at performance thresholds and optimize for variability in task dynamics and demands.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Diagnostic criteria met ADHD for any ADHD presentation type, with severity ratings of subthreshold, moderate or severe
  • Estimated IQ of 80 or greater
  • Between 11-17 years of age

Exclusion criteria

  • Presence of suicidality
  • Presence of psychotic disorders
  • Visual or hearing impairment
  • Presence of severe depression

Treatment and study plan

NeuroTrainer

Behavioral

Virtual reality based cognitive training

Primary outcomes

  1. NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (RT)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test is designed to evaluate an individual's ability to concentrate their attention while inhibiting automatic response tendencies that could potentially hinder goal achievement. The assessment has demonstrated changes in ADHD cases (Buzy, et al., 2009) and may be sensitive to treatment effects (Epstein et al., 2011). The test will take approximately 3 minutes to complete. This is the reaction time (RT) outcome from this assessment.

  2. NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (IIV-RT)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test is designed to evaluate an individual's ability to concentrate their attention while inhibiting automatic response tendencies that could potentially hinder goal achievement. The assessment has demonstrated changes in ADHD cases (Buzy, et al., 2009) and may be sensitive to treatment effects (Epstein et al., 2011). The test will take approximately 3 minutes to complete. This is the intraindividual variability of RT (IIV-RT) outcome from this assessment.

  3. NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test (% Correct)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test is designed to evaluate an individual's ability to concentrate their attention while inhibiting automatic response tendencies that could potentially hinder goal achievement. The assessment has demonstrated changes in ADHD cases (Buzy, et al., 2009) and may be sensitive to treatment effects (Epstein et al., 2011). The test will take approximately 3 minutes to complete. This is the percent correct outcome from this assessment.

  4. NIH Toolbox Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (% Correct)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test aims to measure an individual's capacity to switch between multiple aspects of a strategy or task. The test takes approximately 4 minutes to complete. This is the percent correct outcome from this assessment.

  5. NIH Toolbox Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (Omissions)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test aims to measure an individual's capacity to switch between multiple aspects of a strategy or task. The test takes approximately 4 minutes to complete. This is the omissions outcome from this assessment.

  6. NIH Toolbox Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (RT)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test aims to measure an individual's capacity to switch between multiple aspects of a strategy or task. The test takes approximately 4 minutes to complete. This is the response time (RT) outcome from this assessment.

  7. NIH Toolbox Dimensional Change Card Sort Test (IIV-RT)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test aims to measure an individual's capacity to switch between multiple aspects of a strategy or task. The test takes approximately 4 minutes to complete. This is the intraindividual variability of RT (IIV-RT) outcome from this assessment.

  8. NIH Toolbox List Sorting Working Memory Test

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This test serves as an evaluation of an individual's working memory capabilities. Participants will be presented with different stimuli visually and audibly, and they will be asked to recall and sequence them accordingly. The test takes approximately 7 minutes to complete.

  9. NIH Toolbox Pattern Comparison Processing Speed Test

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    This is an assessment of processing speed. Participants are asked to quickly determine whether two stimuli are the same or not the same. The test takes approximately 4 minutes to complete.

Secondary outcomes

  1. ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD:RS-5) - Inattention Subscale

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    The investigators will assess the symptoms of ADHD by utilizing the parent and teacher ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD:RS-5) Inattention Subscale, using two academic teachers and one parent for each participant. This 9-item subscale is specifically designed to evaluate the core ADHD symptoms of Inattention. By incorporating the perspectives of both teachers and parents, the investigators aim to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the participants' ADHD symptoms across settings. ADHD:RS-5: will be completed by prior school year teachers if the student has been in the class for less than 2 months. Higher scores represent a higher frequency of symptoms and this a worse outcome. For each item, "0" is the minimum and "3" is the maximum value.

  2. ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD:RS-5) - Impulsivity/Hyperactivity Subscale

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    The investigators will assess the symptoms of ADHD by utilizing the parent and teacher ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD:RS-5) Impulsivity/Hyperactivity Subscale, using two academic teachers and one parent for each participant. This 9-item subscale is specifically designed to evaluate the core ADHD symptoms of Impulsivity/Hyperactivity. By incorporating the perspectives of both teachers and parents, the investigators aim to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the participants' ADHD symptoms across settings. ADHD:RS-5: will be completed by prior school year teachers if the student has been in the class for less than 2 months. Higher scores represent a higher frequency of symptoms and this a worse outcome. For each item, "0" is the minimum and "3" is the maximum value.

  3. Academic Performance Rating Scale (APRS)

    Time frame: Week 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 9

    The 19-item Academic Performance Rating Scale (APRS; DuPaul et al.,1991) evaluates student academic performance and is ecologically valid due to (1) assessing in real classroom environments, mirroring academic challenges and behaviors, (2) evaluated by teachers who gain insights into students' academic performance beyond standard tests, and (3) encompassing aspects of academic abilities including behavior, productivity, and work accuracy. This scale has a high test-retest reliability (2-week test-retest=.93-.95; α=.94-.95). Higher scores indicate better academic functioning and impulse control in school. For each item, "1" is the minimum and "5" is the maximum value.

Study contacts

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

Jeff Nyquist, Ph.D.

CONTACT

[email protected]

9062507356

Julie Schweitzer, Ph.D.

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

NeuroTrainer

Industry

Collaborators

  • National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
  • University of California, Davis

Registry information

Official study title

A Feasibility and Efficacy Study of NeuroTrainer Cognitive Training in Students With and Without Attention-Related Difficulties

Important dates

Study start
2024
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 22, 2024
Registry last updated
Jun 19, 2025

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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