Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)ADHDNCT07376863
Impact of Structured Exercise Programs on Cognitive, Motor and Behavioral Outcomes in Children With ADHD
A study testing Gince Zumba Exercise and Square Stepping Exercise in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by Cukurova University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of structured exercise interventions (Gince Zumba and Square Stepping) on cognitive, motor and behavioral functions of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 8 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- What is being tested?
- Gince Zumba Exercise and Square Stepping Exercise
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 51 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 12 Feb 2024to 29 May 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 8 to 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Ability to read and understand Turkish language
- Use of psychostimulant medication for at least 2 months prior to enrollment
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of intellectual disability
- Comorbidity of medical or psychiatric
- Inability to participate in physical activity
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine
Adana, 01170
About this study
Official title: Effects of Gince Zumba and Square Stepping Exercises on Motor and Cognitive Functions in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of structured exercise interventions (Gince Zumba and Square Stepping) on cognitive, motor and behavioral functions of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically, this study aims to:
- compare the effects of Gince Zumba and Square Stepping on motor perfoemance, including coordination and reaction time.
- examine changes in cognitive functions, particularly attention and memory functions following each exercise intervention.
- evaluate the impact of both exercise programs on behavioral symptoms and social adaptation as reported by parents
- determine whether rhytm-based exercise (Gince Zumba) or cognitively demanding stepping exercise (Square Stepping) is more effective in imroving functional outcomes in children with ADHD.
Read more
Based on these aims, the study was conducted as follows:
- Eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups ( square stepping group, gince zumba group, control group)
- All participants underwent baseline assessments prior to the interventions
- Participants in the intervention groups performed assigned activities for eight weeks, while the control group did not engage in regular physical activity during the same period.
- Following the completion of the interventions, all participants underwent post-intervention assessments
- Being tested
- Gince Zumba Exercise, Square Stepping Exercise
- 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.
Gince Zumba ExerciseOther
Also called Gince Zumba Exercises
The Gince Zumba interventions consisted of rhythm-based aerobic exercises , requiring cognitive engagement through attention, coordination, and sequencing of movements, and aiming to support cognitive functions."
Square Stepping ExerciseOther
The Square Stepping Exercise intervention consisted of step patterns performed on a gridded mat in group sessions,, requiring cognitive engagement through visuospatial processing, attention, working memory, and sequencing of movement patterns, and aiming to support cognitive functions."
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Gince Zumba Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm received the Gince Zumba exercise program conducted two times per week for eight weeks Receives: Other: Gince Zumba Exercise |
| Square Stepping Group | Experimental | Participants in this arm received the Square Stepping exercise program conducted two times per week for eight weeks Receives: Other: Square Stepping Exercise |
| Control Group | No intervention | Participants in this arm received no regular physical activity for eight weeks |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Stroop Color Test Completion Time
The Stroop Color Test is a neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.
In this study, the primary outcome is the total time required to complete the interference condition of the Stroop task, measured in seconds.
Shorter completion time indicates better attentional control and executive functioning. Measurements will be obtained before and after the 8-week exercise intervention.
Measured: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test Total Score
The Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test (VADST) is a neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate short-term memory and working memory through auditory and visual digit recall tasks.
The primary outcome measure is the total test score, expressed in points, obtained from correct responses across all subtests.
Higher total scores indicate better memory performance and cognitive processing capacity. The assessment will be administered at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Secondary outcomes (4)
Blaze Pod Reaction Time Score
The BlazePod system is a light-based interactive training and assessment tool used to evaluate visuomotor performance.
The secondary outcome measure is the mean reaction time, recorded in milliseconds, representing the time elapsed between the visual stimulus and the participant's motor response.
Shorter reaction time indicates faster visuomotor processing and motor response speed. Reaction time data will be collected digitally via the BlazePod mobile application. The assessment will be conducted at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Blaze Pod Number of Hits
The BlazePod system is a light-based interactive assessment tool used to evaluate visuomotor performance and response accuracy.
The secondary outcome measure is the total number of correct responses (hits) recorded during the task.
Hits represent the number of targets successfully activated within the predefined assessment duration. Higher hit counts indicate better visuomotor coordination and task performance. Performance data will be recorded digitally via the BlazePod mobile application.
The assessment will be conducted at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Blaze Pod Total Number of Errors
The BlazePod system is a light-based interactive assessment tool used to evaluate visuomotor performance during goal-directed motor tasks.
The secondary outcome measure is the total error score, calculated as the sum of missed targets (miss hits) and incorrect responses (strikes) recorded during the assessment. The total error score is expressed as a numerical count.
Lower error scores indicate better response accuracy and motor control. All performance data will be recorded digitally via the BlazePod mobile application.
The assessment will be conducted at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Conners Parent Rating Scale Total Score
The Conners Parent Rating Scale (CPRS) is a standardized questionnaire used to assess behavioral symptoms associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children, as reported by parents.
The secondary outcome measure is the total score obtained from the scale, expressed in points based on parent responses to Likert-type items.
Higher total scores indicate greater severity of ADHD-related behavioral symptoms.
The assessment will be completed by parents at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period.
Measured: Baseline and after 8 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 2026
- Study start12 Feb 2024
- Primary completion15 Mar 2025
- Study completion29 May 2025
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
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Model description
- There are 3 groups involved in the study. Each of two of the groups joined two different kinds of exercise interventions, and the control group didnt involve any regular physical activity.
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Cukurova University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Ceylan Ekerer, Cukurova University
- Investigators
- Gonca İnce, Prof., Study chair, Cukurova University
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07376863
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 127/64
- Acronym
- ADHD
- Status last verified
- Jan 2026
- First submitted
- 2 Jan 2026
- Last updated
- 29 Jan 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in publications will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to ethical approval and a data use agreement
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 29 Jan 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of Gince Zumba and Square Stepping Exercises on Motor and Cognitive Functions in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07376863
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- ADHD / 127/64
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 51 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Cukurova UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 12 Feb 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 15 Mar 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 29 May 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 29 Jan 2026 (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.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of structured exercise interventions (Gince Zumba and Square Stepping) on cognitive, motor and behavioral functions of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically, this study aims to:
- compare the effects of Gince Zumba and Square Stepping on motor perfoemance, including coordination and reaction time.
- examine changes in cognitive functions, particularly attention and memory functions following each exercise intervention.
- evaluate the impact of both exercise programs on behavioral symptoms and social adaptation as reported by parents
- determine whether rhytm-based exercise (Gince Zumba) or cognitively demanding stepping exercise (Square Stepping) is more effective in imroving functional outcomes in children with ADHD.
Based on these aims, the study was conducted as follows:
- Eligible participants were randomly assigned to one of the three intervention groups ( square stepping group, gince zumba group, control group)
- All participants underwent baseline assessments prior to the interventions
- Participants in the intervention groups performed assigned activities for eight weeks, while the control group did not engage in regular physical activity during the same period.
- Following the completion of the interventions, all participants underwent post-intervention assessments
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 3
- Model description
- There are 3 groups involved in the study. Each of two of the groups joined two different kinds of exercise interventions, and the control group didnt involve any regular physical activity.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Gince Zumba Group | Experimental | Other: Gince Zumba ExerciseParticipants in this arm received the Gince Zumba exercise program conducted two times per week for eight weeks |
| Square Stepping Group | Experimental | Other: Square Stepping ExerciseParticipants in this arm received the Square Stepping exercise program conducted two times per week for eight weeks |
| Control Group | No intervention | –Participants in this arm received no regular physical activity for eight weeks |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 8 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Ability to read and understand Turkish language
- Use of psychostimulant medication for at least 2 months prior to enrollment
Key exclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Diagnosis of intellectual disability
- Comorbidity of medical or psychiatric
- Inability to participate in physical activity
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Gince Zumba ExerciseAlso: Gince Zumba ExercisesThe Gince Zumba interventions consisted of rhythm-based aerobic exercises , requiring cognitive engagement through attention, coordination, and sequencing of movements, and aiming to support cognitive functions." | Other | Gince Zumba Group |
| Square Stepping ExerciseThe Square Stepping Exercise intervention consisted of step patterns performed on a gridded mat in group sessions,, requiring cognitive engagement through visuospatial processing, attention, working memory, and sequencing of movement patterns, and aiming to support cognitive functions." | Other | Square Stepping Group |
Primary outcome
Stroop Color Test Completion Time
Time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention
The Stroop Color Test is a neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate selective attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control. In this study, the primary outcome is the total time required to complete the interference condition of the Stroop task, measured in seconds. Shorter completion time indicates better attentional control and executive functioning. Measurements will be obtained before and after the 8-week exercise intervention.
Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test Total Score
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
The Visual-Auditory Digit Span Test (VADST) is a neuropsychological assessment used to evaluate short-term memory and working memory through auditory and visual digit recall tasks. The primary outcome measure is the total test score, expressed in points, obtained from correct responses across all subtests. Higher total scores indicate better memory performance and cognitive processing capacity. The assessment will be administered at baseline and after the 8-week intervention period.
4 secondary outcomes
Blaze Pod Reaction Time Score
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Blaze Pod Number of Hits
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Blaze Pod Total Number of Errors
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 weeks
Conners Parent Rating Scale Total Score
Time frame: Baseline and after 8 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 Jan 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. De-identified individual participant data underlying the results reported in publications will be made available upon reasonable request to the corresponding author, subject to ethical approval and a data use agreement
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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.
Gonca İnce, Prof. study chair
Cukurova 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 Gince Zumba Exercise and Square Stepping Exercise in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by Cukurova University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
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 2 inclusion and 3 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 Jan 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 Turkey (Türkiye). 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?
Stroop Color Test Completion Time (time frame: Baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention). The study lists 2 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 Jan 2026.