ChildhoodNCT06663540
Synergies Between Exercise and Abacus in Childhood.
A study testing Exercise & Abacus in people with Childhood, run by University of Jaén at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
This study investigates the synergistic effects of physical exercise and abacus training on enhancing academic performance and well-being in children. It aims to establish a comprehensive educational framework that leverages the cognitive benefits of both physical activity and mental math skills. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 7 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Childhood
- What is being tested?
- Exercise & Abacus
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 82 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 7 Apr 2025to 1 Jul 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 6 to 7 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- School-aged children, ages 6-7.
- Students who are able to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity without medical restrictions and are able to handle the abacus.
- Students who can regularly participate in the intervention program sessions and follow-up assessments.
- Voluntary participation, with informed consent signed by parents or legal guardians.
Who cannot join
- Children with health conditions that prevent them from safely engaging in physical activity or using the abacus (e.g., heart disease, severe respiratory problems, motor disabilities that limit physical activity).
- Students with severe cognitive or learning disabilities that may significantly interfere with the use of the abacus or the ability to equitably benefit from the intervention.
- Children who are unable to commit to continued participation in the program, whether for personal or logistical reasons.
- Students who are involved in other extracurricular or school programs focused on cognitive or physical training, to avoid overlapping effects of other interventions.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Synergies Between Physical Exercise and the Abacus and Their Effects on Improving Academic Learning and Well-being in Childhood.
This study investigates the synergistic effects of physical exercise and abacus training on enhancing academic performance and well-being in children. It aims to establish a comprehensive educational framework that leverages the cognitive benefits of both physical activity and mental math skills. Research indicates that regular physical exercise not only contributes to better physical health but also significantly enhances cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Studies have shown that active children tend to perform better academically due to improved brain function and increased focus. Simultaneously, abacus training has been recognized for its role in developing mathematical skills and cognitive abilities. It promotes visual-spatial reasoning and enhances memory retention, which can lead to better performance in mathematics and related subjects.
By integrating these two methods, seeks to provide children with a holistic approach to learning, fostering not only academic success but also emotional and psychological resilience. Preliminary findings suggest that children engaged in combined physical and cognitive training programs show notable improvements in their academic outcomes and overall well-being compared to those who participate in traditional learning environments. The project emphasizes the importance of creating educational strategies that prioritize comprehensive child development, suggesting that a balanced approach involving both physical exercise and cognitive training tools like the abacus can lead to significant benefits in children's learning experiences.
- Conditions
- Childhood
- Being tested
- Exercise & Abacus
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Exercise & AbacusOther
Features two main interventions: physical exercise sessions and abacus training activities.
Physical Exercise Sessions aim to enhance fitness and cognitive function through activities like aerobic exercises and team sports. Research indicates that regular physical activity can improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills essential for academic success.
Abacus Training Activities focus on developing mathematical skills and cognitive abilities. Children learn to manipulate the abacus for calculations, which enhances numerical understanding and memory retention, positively impacting academic performance.
The program's innovative dual approach suggests that integrating physical and cognitive training can lead to greater improvements in academic performance and emotional resilience than either intervention alone.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | No intervention | The control group that will continue with their usual school routine |
| Experimental Group | Experimental | The experimental group will participate in weekly sessions that integrate physical exercise and the use of the abacus. This will include physical activities such as sports, outdoor games or physical education classes, for approximately two hours a week. In addition, they will receive teaching sessions that incorporate the abacus to develop mathematical and problem-solving skills. Receives: Other: Exercise & Abacus |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Self-Concept
The perception children have of themselves, influencing their motivation and learning strategies. Measured using the Self-Concept Scale for Children, scores range from 20 to 80, with scores below 50 indicating low self-concept, scores between 50-70 indicating average self-concept, and scores above 70 indicating a high self-concept.
Measured: Up to twelve weeks
Self-Esteem
Assessed using the Spanish version of the Self-Esteem Test for Schoolchildren, a questionnaire evaluating children's positive and negative self-image. The instrument consists of 23 scored dichotomous (Yes/No) items. Total scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.
Measured: Up to twelve weeks
Self-efficacy
Assessed using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), a 24-item questionnaire measuring academic, social, and emotional self-efficacy. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater perceived self-efficacy.
Measured: Up to twelve weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Oct 2024
- Study start7 Apr 2025
- Primary completion27 Jun 2025
- Study completion1 Jul 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ChildhoodStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 82 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Jaén
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Agustín Aibar Almazán, University of Jaén
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06663540
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- University A
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Oct 2024
- Last updated
- 9 Jul 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 9 Jul 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Synergies Between Physical Exercise and the Abacus and Their Effects on Improving Academic Learning and Well-being in Childhood.
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06663540
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- University A
- Conditions
- Childhood
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 82 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of JaénUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 7 Apr 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 27 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Oct 2024 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study investigates the synergistic effects of physical exercise and abacus training on enhancing academic performance and well-being in children. It aims to establish a comprehensive educational framework that leverages the cognitive benefits of both physical activity and mental math skills. Research indicates that regular physical exercise not only contributes to better physical health but also significantly enhances cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving abilities. Studies have shown that active children tend to perform better academically due to improved brain function and increased focus. Simultaneously, abacus training has been recognized for its role in developing mathematical skills and cognitive abilities. It promotes visual-spatial reasoning and enhances memory retention, which can lead to better performance in mathematics and related subjects.
By integrating these two methods, seeks to provide children with a holistic approach to learning, fostering not only academic success but also emotional and psychological resilience. Preliminary findings suggest that children engaged in combined physical and cognitive training programs show notable improvements in their academic outcomes and overall well-being compared to those who participate in traditional learning environments. The project emphasizes the importance of creating educational strategies that prioritize comprehensive child development, suggesting that a balanced approach involving both physical exercise and cognitive training tools like the abacus can lead to significant benefits in children's learning experiences.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Control Group | No intervention | –The control group that will continue with their usual school routine |
| Experimental Group | Experimental | Other: Exercise & AbacusThe experimental group will participate in weekly sessions that integrate physical exercise and the use of the abacus. This will include physical activities such as sports, outdoor games or physical education classes, for approximately two hours a week. In addition, they will receive teaching sessions that incorporate the abacus to develop mathematical and problem-solving skills. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 7 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- School-aged children, ages 6-7.
- Students who are able to engage in moderate-intensity physical activity without medical restrictions and are able to handle the abacus.
- Students who can regularly participate in the intervention program sessions and follow-up assessments.
- Voluntary participation, with informed consent signed by parents or legal guardians.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Children with health conditions that prevent them from safely engaging in physical activity or using the abacus (e.g., heart disease, severe respiratory problems, motor disabilities that limit physical activity).
- Students with severe cognitive or learning disabilities that may significantly interfere with the use of the abacus or the ability to equitably benefit from the intervention.
- Children who are unable to commit to continued participation in the program, whether for personal or logistical reasons.
- Students who are involved in other extracurricular or school programs focused on cognitive or physical training, to avoid overlapping effects of other interventions.
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise & AbacusFeatures two main interventions: physical exercise sessions and abacus training activities. Physical Exercise Sessions aim to enhance fitness and cognitive function through activities like aerobic exercises and team sports. Research indicates that regular physical activity can improve memory, attention, and problem-solving skills essential for academic success. Abacus Training Activities focus on developing mathematical skills and cognitive abilities. Children learn to manipulate the abacus for calculations, which enhances numerical understanding and memory retention, positively impacting academic performance. The program's innovative dual approach suggests that integrating physical and cognitive training can lead to greater improvements in academic performance and emotional resilience than either intervention alone. | Other | Experimental Group |
Primary outcome
Self-Concept
Time frame: Up to twelve weeks
The perception children have of themselves, influencing their motivation and learning strategies. Measured using the Self-Concept Scale for Children, scores range from 20 to 80, with scores below 50 indicating low self-concept, scores between 50-70 indicating average self-concept, and scores above 70 indicating a high self-concept.
Self-Esteem
Time frame: Up to twelve weeks
Assessed using the Spanish version of the Self-Esteem Test for Schoolchildren, a questionnaire evaluating children's positive and negative self-image. The instrument consists of 23 scored dichotomous (Yes/No) items. Total scores range from 0 to 23, with higher scores indicating higher self-esteem.
Self-efficacy
Time frame: Up to twelve weeks
Assessed using the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C), a 24-item questionnaire measuring academic, social, and emotional self-efficacy. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater perceived self-efficacy.
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 9 Jul 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Exercise & Abacus in people with Childhood, run by University of Jaén at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 9 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Self-Concept (time frame: Up to twelve weeks). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 9 Jul 2026.