Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)ADHDNCT06798337
Reward Effects on Cognition, Motor Skills, and Motivation in Children
A study testing Conventional Physiotherapy group and Reward based physiotherapy group in people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by Lithuanian Sports University at 1 site in Lithuania.
Trial 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. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 8 to 10 years, men only
- Conditions the study is for
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- What is being tested?
- Conventional Physiotherapy group and Reward based physiotherapy group
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 67 participants
- Where
- 1 siteLithuania
- Study dates
- 15 Jan 2023to 15 May 2024
- 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 8 to 10 years
- Men only
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by a neurologist;
- male gender;
- age between 8 and 10 years.
- ability to read and write;
- patient's willingness to attend physiotherapy sessions;
Who cannot join
- claustrophobia;
- neurological disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome);
- chronic medical conditions (e.g., cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases);
- previous treatment for ADHD (e.g., pharmacological therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy) within the last six months;
- Medication use.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Lithuania1 site
Department of health promotion and rehabilitation
Kaunas, 44221
About this study
Official title: The Effect of Reward on Cognitive Functioning, Motor Skills, and Motivation in 8- to 10-Year-Old Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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.
Read the 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:
- 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.
- Being tested
- Conventional Physiotherapy group, Reward based physiotherapy group
- Keywords
- attention, motor skills, motivation, reward-based therapy
- Medical subject headings
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Conventional Physiotherapy groupOther
Participants in the regular physical therapy group performed balance and coordination exercises three times a week without the use of rewards. These subjects completed only physical exercises, without engaging in game-like interactive tasks using virtual reality (VR) glasses. Each session was conducted at the same time for each subject, with a potential variation of ±1 hour.
Reward based physiotherapy groupOther
Subjects in the reward group performed balance and coordination exercises three times a week, with the inclusion of rewards. At the end of each exercise session, participants engaged in game-like interactive tasks using virtual reality (VR) glasses. Exercise sessions were conducted at the same time for each subject, with a permissible variation of ±1 hour.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional outpatient PT group (n=30). | Experimental | Conventional outpatient PT group received typical physical exercises with duration of 6 weeks Receives: Other: Conventional Physiotherapy group |
| Reward-based PT group | Experimental | This group received reward based virtual reality exercises with duration of 6 weeks. Reward was extra exercises using virtual reality Receives: Other: Reward based physiotherapy group |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Static balance
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.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Attention task with spatial numbers
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Attention task with spatial figures
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Easy figural memory task
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Hard figural memory task
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Visuo-Constructional Ability task
Number of successful attempts and duration (in seconds) was recorded
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Secondary outcomes (1)
Pediatric motivation Scale (PMot)
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).
Measured: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted29 Jan 2025
- Study start15 Jan 2023
- Primary completion15 Jan 2024
- Study completion15 May 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Studies 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
- Model description
- Qualitative research
- Masking
- Double blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator
- Enrolment
- 67 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Lithuanian Sports University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Vilma Dudoniene, Lithuanian Sports University
- Investigators
- Vilma VD Dudoniene, PhD, Principal investigator, Lithuanian Sports UniversityVilma Dudoniene, PhD, Study chair, Lithuanian Sports University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06798337
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- Lithuanian Sports University
- Acronym
- ADHD
- Status last verified
- Aug 2025
- First submitted
- 15 Jan 2025
- Last updated
- 29 Aug 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: The consent form of the informed person states that the individual data of the subjects will not be disclosed, but can only be used to summarized.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Aug 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effect of Reward on Cognitive Functioning, Motor Skills, and Motivation in 8- to 10-Year-Old Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT06798337
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ADHD / Lithuanian Sports University
- Keywords
- attention, motor skills, motivation, reward-based therapy
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 67 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Lithuanian Sports UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 15 Jan 2023 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Jan 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 15 May 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Jan 2025 (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 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:
- 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 design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Double blind (participant, investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
- Model description
- Qualitative research
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional outpatient PT group (n=30). | Experimental | Other: Conventional Physiotherapy groupConventional outpatient PT group received typical physical exercises with duration of 6 weeks |
| Reward-based PT group | Experimental | Other: Reward based physiotherapy groupThis group received reward based virtual reality exercises with duration of 6 weeks. Reward was extra exercises using virtual reality |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 8 to 10 years
- Sex
- Male only
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (5 listed)
- Diagnosis of ADHD confirmed by a neurologist;
- male gender;
- age between 8 and 10 years.
- ability to read and write;
- patient's willingness to attend physiotherapy sessions;
Key exclusion criteria (5 listed)
- claustrophobia;
- neurological disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, Tourette's syndrome);
- chronic medical conditions (e.g., cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases);
- previous treatment for ADHD (e.g., pharmacological therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy) within the last six months;
- Medication use.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional Physiotherapy groupParticipants in the regular physical therapy group performed balance and coordination exercises three times a week without the use of rewards. These subjects completed only physical exercises, without engaging in game-like interactive tasks using virtual reality (VR) glasses. Each session was conducted at the same time for each subject, with a potential variation of ±1 hour. | Other | Conventional outpatient PT group (n=30). |
| Reward based physiotherapy groupSubjects in the reward group performed balance and coordination exercises three times a week, with the inclusion of rewards. At the end of each exercise session, participants engaged in game-like interactive tasks using virtual reality (VR) glasses. Exercise sessions were conducted at the same time for each subject, with a permissible variation of ±1 hour. | Other | Reward-based PT group |
Primary outcome
Static balance
Time frame: 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.
Attention task with spatial numbers
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Attention task with spatial figures
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Easy figural memory task
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Hard figural memory task
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Number of mistakes and Speed coefficient was recorded.
Visuo-Constructional Ability task
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
Number of successful attempts and duration (in seconds) was recorded
1 secondary outcome
Pediatric motivation Scale (PMot)
Time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks
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 29 Aug 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. The consent form of the informed person states that the individual data of the subjects will not be disclosed, but can only be used to summarized.
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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.
Vilma VD Dudoniene, PhD principal investigator
Lithuanian Sports University
Vilma Dudoniene, PhD study chair
Lithuanian Sports University
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Conventional Physiotherapy group and Reward based physiotherapy group in people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by Lithuanian Sports University at 1 site in Lithuania.
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 5 inclusion and 5 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 29 Aug 2025. 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 Lithuania. 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?
Static balance (time frame: At baseline and after 6 weeks). The study lists 6 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 29 Aug 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 8 Nov 2026.