Reward Effects on Cognition, Motor Skills, and Motivation in Children

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Registration Number: NCT06798337
• Lead Sponsor: Lithuanian Sports University

Brief Summary

This interventional study aimed to aimed to evaluate the effects of rewards on cognitive function, motor skills, and motivation in 8- to 10-year-old children with ADHD following 3- and 6-week interventions.

Detailed Description

Research problem: children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are inattentive and distractible, which often makes it difficult for physiotherapists to keep them interested, as prolonged activity often causes boredom.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of reward on cognitive function, motor skills and motivation in 8-10 year old children with ADHD after 3 and 6 week interventions.

Objectives of the study:

1. To compare the cognitive function of children receiving conventional physiotherapy with that of children receiving reward therapy. 2. To compare the motor skills of the children receiving conventional physiotherapy with those of the children receiving the reward. 3. To compare the motivation of children receiving conventional physiotherapy with that of children receiving rewards.

The hypothesis of the study is that exercise with rewards improves cognitive function, motor skills and motivation better than conventional physiotherapy in children aged 8 to 10 years with attention deficit disorder.

Research methods: the study included 60 boys diagnosed with ADHD. Age: 8-10 years. Subjects were randomly divided into reward and conventional physiotherapy groups. In both groups, subjects performed exercises for balance and coordination for 3 times per week for 45 min, but in one group subjects received a reward using virtual reality.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2023-01-15
• Primary Completion: 2024-01-15
• Study Completion: 2024-05-15
• Status Verified: 2025-01
• Study First Submitted: 2025-01-15
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-22
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-22
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-29
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-29

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 67

Inclusion Criteria

1. Diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by a neurologist;
2. male gender;
3. age between 8 and 10 years.
4. ability to read and write;
5. patient's willingness to attend physiotherapy sessions;

Exclusion Criteria

1. claustrophobia;
2. neurological disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome);
3. chronic medical conditions (e.g., cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases);
4. previous treatment for ADHD (e.g., pharmacological therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy) within the last six months;
5. Medication use.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Static balance	At baseline and after 6 weeks	was assessed with The Abili Balance Analyzer platform. The software associated with the platform provided an overall stability index based on the tests conducted: Very Good: 0.8; Good: 0.8 to 1.8; Poor: \>1.8.
Easy figural memory task	At baseline and after 6 weeks	Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Attention task with spatial numbers	At baseline and after 6 weeks	Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Hard figural memory task	At baseline and after 6 weeks	Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Attention task with spatial figures	At baseline and after 6 weeks	Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Visuo-Constructional Ability task	At baseline and after 6 weeks	Number of successful attempts and duration (in seconds) was recorded

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Pediatric motivation Scale (PMot)	At baseline and after 6 weeks	Participants were instructed to respond to the questions by selecting a visual image that best represented their emotional state. Each visual image was assigned a numerical value, ranging from 1 (very poor) to 6 (excellent), for statistical data analysis and outcome evaluation (numeric value).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of health promotion and rehabilitation; 🇱🇹 Kaunas, Lithuania