Dual Executive Function Training Package

Sponsor
Education University of Hong Kong
Study ID
NCT07262853
Status
Recruiting
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Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
6 Years - 11 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Executive Function Training — OTHER
    All students will participate in a structured EF training program designed to support those with SENs. The EF training program will include weekly group training sessions lasting one hour each, which will be organised in small groups of six students to foster interaction and peer support.

Study Details

Executive function (EF) refers to the cognitive processes that enable goal-directed regulation of thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Two interrelated domains are commonly distinguished: "cool" EF, which involves abstract cognitive processes, and "hot" EF, which involves regulation in emotionally or motivationally charged contexts. Children with special educational needs (SENs) frequently show difficulties across both domains, yet most interventions target one in isolation. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a dual EF training package for three of the most prevalent SENs groups: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning difficulties (SpLD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 288 primary school students aged 6-12 years with a diagnosis of ADHD, ASD, or SpLD will be recruited. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an intervention or waitlist control group, stratified by diagnosis. Each intervention group (n = 48) will receive the dual EF training programme, while corresponding waitlist controls (n = 48) will receive it after the study. Pre- and post-intervention assessments will include neuropsychological tests of EF, teacher- and parent-reported behavioural ratings, and measures of disability impact, school satisfaction, and social participation.

Key Dates

First listed
Dec 4, 2025
Start date
Oct 13, 2025
Status verified
Nov 2025
Primary completion
Jun 30, 2026
Completion
Sep 30, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment
288 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Experimental: ADHD Group
    This experimental group will receive the executive function training in primary schools in Hong Kong.
  • Experimental: Experimental: RD Group
    This experimental group will receive the executive function training in primary schools in Hong Kong.
  • Experimental: Experimental: ASD Group
    This experimental group will receive the executive function training in primary schools in Hong Kong.
  • No Intervention: Waitlist Control: ADHD Group
    Students assigned to the waitlist control group will receive the executive function training program after the experimental group has completed it.
  • No Intervention: Waitlist Control: RD Group
    Students assigned to the waitlist control group will receive the executive function training program after the experimental group has completed it.
  • No Intervention: Waitlist Control: ASD Group
    Students assigned to the waitlist control group will receive the executive function training program after the experimental group has completed it.

Primary Outcome Measure

Verbal Working Memory [ Time Frame: One week before the intervention ]

Central Contacts

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