ADHD or ADHD TraitsNCT07900048
Development and Evaluation of a Digital Game Intervention Targeting Children Vulnerable to ADHD
A study testing Digital Game Intervention and Tetris in people with ADHD or ADHD Traits, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Trial summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a self-administered digital game can improve attention, memory, and planning and reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children aged 6-12 in Hong Kong who have subclinical or vulnerable ADHD symptoms. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 6 to 12 years
- Conditions the study is for
- ADHD or ADHD Traits
- What is being tested?
- Digital Game Intervention and Tetris
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 100 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- 1 Nov 2026to 1 Mar 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 12 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Meeting subclinical ADHD screening criteria;
- Ages 6 to 12;
- Family ownership of a tablet/smartphone with internet access.
Who cannot join
- Current treatment for ADHD;
- Comorbid conditions like autism spectrum disorder;
- Previous cranial injury or neurological disorders;
- Impairments hindering computer use.
About this study
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a self-administered digital game can improve attention, memory, and planning and reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children aged 6-12 in Hong Kong who have subclinical or vulnerable ADHD symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does playing a 30-minute digital game 5 times per week for 8 weeks improve sustained attention, memory, and planning?
Read more
Does it reduce parent- and teacher-rated inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms compared with an active control game (Tetris)?
Researchers will compare a first-wave group that receives the digital game first and then Tetris with a second-wave group that receives Tetris first and then the digital game, to see if the digital game produces greater improvements.
Participants will:
Be screened for subclinical ADHD using parent and teacher questionnaires.
Play the "Lucky Panda" digital game or Tetris for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for 8 weeks, then switch to the other activity for another 8 weeks.
Complete computer-based tasks measuring attention, memory, and planning at three time points: before the study, after the first 8 weeks, and after the second 8 weeks.
Have their parents and teachers complete ADHD symptom questionnaires at the same three time points.
Have parents report their child's interest in the game, adherence, and other digital game habits.
This study focuses on children with subclinical symptoms, not children already diagnosed with ADHD or receiving ADHD treatment. If effective, the game may offer an accessible early self-help intervention while families wait for professional care.
- Conditions
- ADHD or ADHD Traits
- Being tested
- Digital Game Intervention, Tetris
- 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.
Digital Game InterventionOther
The intervention is "Lucky Panda," a home-based, self-administered digital game for children aged 6-12 with subclinical ADHD symptoms. Children play 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks on a family tablet or smartphone under parental supervision. It requires no clinic visits, neurofeedback, VR, or specialised equipment.
The game is based on Barkley's and Brown's ADHD models and includes three subgames targeting attention, working memory, and planning. A narrative in which children help "Lucky Panda" collect Crystal Stones provides engagement and rewards.
TetrisOther
Tetris
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Lucky Panda Digital Game Intervention | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Digital Game Intervention |
| Tetris Active Control | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Tetris |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Visual Continuous Performance Task (CPT)
Sustained attention measured by the Visual Continuous Performance Task. The outcome is the longest interval between errors in seconds. A longer interval indicates better sustained attention. This task is not a scale and has no fixed minimum or maximum.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Memory recognition task
Memory ability measured by a word recognition task. Participants memorize 20 words and then recognize them among 40 words. The outcome is the percentage of correct recognition. The range is 0 to 100. A higher percentage indicates better memory.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
London Tower task
Planning ability measured by the Tower of London task. The outcome is the number of moves needed to reach the target configuration. Fewer moves indicate better planning. The minimum depends on the item and there is no fixed maximum.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, Fourth Edition (SNAP-IV), Parent Form
Parent rated ADHD symptoms measured by the Swanson Nolan and Pelham Rating Scale Fourth Edition Parent Form. The Inattention and Hyperactivity and Impulsivity subscales each have 9 items rated from 0 Never to 3 Very often. The subscale mean score range is 0 to 3. Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms. If total subscale scores are reported the range is 0 to 27 for each subscale and 0 to 54 for the full scale. Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Conners' Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire (C-ASQ), Teacher Form
Teacher rated ADHD symptoms measured by the Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire Teacher Form. The questionnaire has 10 items rated from 0 Never to 3 Very often. The total score range is 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms.
Measured: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted28 Oct 2026
- Study start1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for ADHD or ADHD TraitsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Care provider, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07900048
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- HSEARS20240219009
- Other IDs
- P0042481, P0048500
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 7 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 28 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 28 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Development and Evaluation of a Digital Game Intervention Targeting Children Vulnerable to ADHD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07900048
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- HSEARS20240219009
- Conditions
- ADHD or ADHD Traits
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Not yet recruiting
- Enrolment
- 100 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Nov 2026 (estimated)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Mar 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 28 Oct 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 goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether a self-administered digital game can improve attention, memory, and planning and reduce ADHD-like symptoms in children aged 6-12 in Hong Kong who have subclinical or vulnerable ADHD symptoms. The main questions it aims to answer are:
Does playing a 30-minute digital game 5 times per week for 8 weeks improve sustained attention, memory, and planning?
Does it reduce parent- and teacher-rated inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms compared with an active control game (Tetris)?
Researchers will compare a first-wave group that receives the digital game first and then Tetris with a second-wave group that receives Tetris first and then the digital game, to see if the digital game produces greater improvements.
Participants will:
Be screened for subclinical ADHD using parent and teacher questionnaires.
Play the "Lucky Panda" digital game or Tetris for 30 minutes, 5 times a week for 8 weeks, then switch to the other activity for another 8 weeks.
Complete computer-based tasks measuring attention, memory, and planning at three time points: before the study, after the first 8 weeks, and after the second 8 weeks.
Have their parents and teachers complete ADHD symptom questionnaires at the same three time points.
Have parents report their child's interest in the game, adherence, and other digital game habits.
This study focuses on children with subclinical symptoms, not children already diagnosed with ADHD or receiving ADHD treatment. If effective, the game may offer an accessible early self-help intervention while families wait for professional care.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Crossover
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, care provider, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Lucky Panda Digital Game Intervention | Experimental | Other: Digital Game Intervention |
| Tetris Active Control | Active comparator | Other: Tetris |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 6 to 12 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- Meeting subclinical ADHD screening criteria;
- Ages 6 to 12;
- Family ownership of a tablet/smartphone with internet access.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Current treatment for ADHD;
- Comorbid conditions like autism spectrum disorder;
- Previous cranial injury or neurological disorders;
- Impairments hindering computer 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Game InterventionThe intervention is "Lucky Panda," a home-based, self-administered digital game for children aged 6-12 with subclinical ADHD symptoms. Children play 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks on a family tablet or smartphone under parental supervision. It requires no clinic visits, neurofeedback, VR, or specialised equipment. The game is based on Barkley's and Brown's ADHD models and includes three subgames targeting attention, working memory, and planning. A narrative in which children help "Lucky Panda" collect Crystal Stones provides engagement and rewards. | Other | Lucky Panda Digital Game Intervention |
| TetrisTetris | Other | Tetris Active Control |
Primary outcome
Visual Continuous Performance Task (CPT)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Sustained attention measured by the Visual Continuous Performance Task. The outcome is the longest interval between errors in seconds. A longer interval indicates better sustained attention. This task is not a scale and has no fixed minimum or maximum.
Memory recognition task
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Memory ability measured by a word recognition task. Participants memorize 20 words and then recognize them among 40 words. The outcome is the percentage of correct recognition. The range is 0 to 100. A higher percentage indicates better memory.
London Tower task
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Planning ability measured by the Tower of London task. The outcome is the number of moves needed to reach the target configuration. Fewer moves indicate better planning. The minimum depends on the item and there is no fixed maximum.
Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Rating Scale, Fourth Edition (SNAP-IV), Parent Form
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Parent rated ADHD symptoms measured by the Swanson Nolan and Pelham Rating Scale Fourth Edition Parent Form. The Inattention and Hyperactivity and Impulsivity subscales each have 9 items rated from 0 Never to 3 Very often. The subscale mean score range is 0 to 3. Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms. If total subscale scores are reported the range is 0 to 27 for each subscale and 0 to 54 for the full scale. Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms.
Conners' Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire (C-ASQ), Teacher Form
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)
Teacher rated ADHD symptoms measured by the Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire Teacher Form. The questionnaire has 10 items rated from 0 Never to 3 Very often. The total score range is 0 to 30. Higher scores indicate worse ADHD symptoms.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 28 Oct 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Digital Game Intervention and Tetris in people with ADHD or ADHD Traits, run by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
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 3 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: opening soon, as of the sponsor's last update on 28 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Visual Continuous Performance Task (CPT) (time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 8 (Test-1), Week 16 (Test-2)). The study lists 5 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 28 Oct 2026.