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

NCT07786532 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: Aqsa Imtiaz
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 52
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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

Conditions

Behavior Problems; Attention Problems; Cognitive Functions

Keywords

Sports-Based Cognitive Therapy; Cognitive Training; Attention; Memory; Behavior; School-Going Children

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Stroop Interference Score

  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.

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Teacher Report Form (TRF) T-score

  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.

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Behavior Rating Scale Total Score

  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.

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Movement-Sequence Recall Score

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Number Recall Score

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

• Word Recall Score

  Baseline, Week 4, and Week 8

Study Arms (2)

Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants assigned to the experimental group will receive an 8-week Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy Program delivered three sessions per week, with each session lasting 45-60 minutes. The intervention integrates structured physical activities with cognitive tasks targeting attention, memory, executive function, and behavioral regulation. Activities include aerobic exercises, attention drills, memory exercises, and behavior-regulation games delivered at moderate to vigorous intensity.

Behavioral: Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy Program

Conventional Physical Activity

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants assigned to the control group will receive conventional physical activity consisting of routine exercise-based activities supervised by a licensed physical therapist. Sessions will be conducted three times per week for 45-60 minutes over 8 weeks and will include warm-up exercises, stretching, balance activities, classroom games, and cool-down exercises without structured cognitive-sports integration.

Behavioral: Conventional Physical Activity

Interventions

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.

Sports-Based Structured Cognitive Therapy

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.

Conventional Physical Activity

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 8 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Riphah International University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Gghss Sarai Naimat Khan Haripur

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

RECRUITING

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Mental Disorders; Behavior

Study Officials

• Zobia Naseem, MS

  Riphah International University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Zobia Naseem, MS

CONTACT

+923321963584; zobia.naseem@riphah.edu.pk

noreen khan, Phd

CONTACT

03369687196

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the experimental group receiving a sports-based structured cognitive therapy program or the control group receiving conventional physical activity.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: August 5, 2026
• First Posted: August 26, 2026
• Study Start: August 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Last Updated: August 26, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-08

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PA (1)