Pediatric Body Brain Trainer: pediBBT

Study directors: Joaquin Anguera PhD, Elysa Marco MD

Recruiting: No

Official study title: Pedi BBT

Conditions studied: Sustained attention and working memory

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out whether a child’s memory and attention can be improved through practice that integrates physical movement with thinking tasks.

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria:

  • 7-12 years old
  • Performance IQ > 85, as determined by WISC-IV
  • Current student at Neil Cummins Elementary School

Exclusion criteria:

  • Prematurity (defined as gestational age < 32 weeks)
  • Seizures requiring current medication management
  • Psychosis or mood disorder 
  • Current history of pacemaker, ferromagnetic matter in body (e.g. braces, permanent metal retainer), claustrophobia or significant medical illness (Unable to safely enter MRI machine)

What is Involved?

  • Testing: Cognitive testing, parent report questionnaires, and brain MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and EEG (electroencophalography)
  • Frequency of visits:  Pre-training, post-training, and 6 month follow-up visit to UCSF (approximately 6 hours per visit) as well as 8 weeks of training at Neil Cummins, 3x/week
  • Costs: No costs will be charged for any of the study procedures. Parking will be validated at UCSF for all study visits. 
  • Payment: In return for the time, effort, and travel expenses, you will be compensated $20/session for your child’s participation in the pre, post, and follow-up assessments ($60 total). Your child will also receive $5/ training session, $120 total throughout the 8 weeks. 

Contact Information