Impact of Structured Exercise Programs on Cognitive, Motor and Behavioral Outcomes in Children With ADHD (ADHD)

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.

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 Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Gince Zumba Exercise; Other: Square Stepping Exercise

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 51
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Turkey (Türkiye)
  • Adana, Turkey (Türkiye), 01170
    • Cukurova University, Faculty of Medicine

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Ability to read and understand Turkish language
• Use of psychostimulant medication for at least 2 months prior to enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of intellectual disability
• Comorbidity of medical or psychiatric
• Inability to participate in physical activity

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

3

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Gince Zumba Group; Participants in this arm received the Gince Zumba exercise program conducted two times per week for eight weeks	Other: Gince Zumba Exercise; 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."; Other Names: Gince Zumba Exercises
Experimental: Square Stepping Group; Participants in this arm received the Square Stepping exercise program conducted two times per week for eight weeks	Other: Square Stepping Exercise; 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."
No Intervention: Control Group; Participants in this arm received no regular physical activity for eight weeks

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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.	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.	Baseline and after 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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.	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.	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.	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.	Baseline and after 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Cukurova University
• Investigators: Study Chair: Gonca İnce, Prof., Çukurova University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): February 12, 2024
• Primary Completion (Actual): March 15, 2025
• Study Completion (Actual): May 29, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 2, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 26, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): January 29, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): January 29, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 26, 2026
• Last Verified: January 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
• Other Study ID Numbers: 127/64

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES
• IPD Plan Description: 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
• IPD Sharing Time Frame: Beginning after publication of the primary results
• IPD Sharing Access Criteria: Data access will be provided upon reasonable request, subject to ethical approval and a data use agreement
• IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type: STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No