Questa pagina è stata tradotta automaticamente e l'accuratezza della traduzione non è garantita. Si prega di fare riferimento al Versione inglese per un testo di partenza.

Executive Function Intervention for Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease (E-Fit Heart)

2 luglio 2026 aggiornato da: Bea Latal

Executive Function Intervention for Children With Complex Congenital Heart Disease: A Randomised Control Study

Children with complex congenital heart disease (cCHD) nowadays survive thanks to medical advances into their teenage years and adulthood. However, many of them have difficulties with so-called executive functions. These include skills such as paying attention, planning, self-control, and flexible thinking, which are very important for school, daily life, and becoming independent. These difficulties are linked to changes in the brain and to a higher level of stress. Previous computer-based training programs on their own have either not been very effective, or the effects were lost soon after.

In this study, the researchers are testing a newly developed, personalized training program called E-Fit. It combines digital cognitive training, individualized online strategy coaching and analog games. The goal is to find out whether this program can improve executive functions in everyday life for 9-to 13-year-old children with complex congenital heart disease.

The study is planed as a randomized controlled trial at the University Children's Hospital Zurich. Children will be assigned either to the training group or to a control group. In addition, the results will be compared with those of a group of healthy children of the same age. The children will visit the University Children's Hospital Zurich three times throughout the whole duration of the study. The first visit will take place before the children start the intervention, the second visit right after the children finished the intervention and the last visit will be 3 months after finishing the intervention. During all these visits neuropsychological assessments, questionnaires, brains scans (MRI) and stress measurements will be collected.

The results are intended to help develop effective support programs for these children, improve their well-being, and better prepare them for transition into adulthood.

Panoramica dello studio

Stato

Non ancora reclutamento

Condizioni

Intervento / Trattamento

Tipo di studio

Interventistico

Iscrizione (Stimato)

160

Fase

  • Non applicabile

Contatti e Sedi

Questa sezione fornisce i recapiti di coloro che conducono lo studio e informazioni su dove viene condotto lo studio.

Contatto studio

Backup dei contatti dello studio

Luoghi di studio

  • Svizzera
    • Canton of Zurich
      • Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Svizzera, 8008

Criteri di partecipazione

I ricercatori cercano persone che corrispondano a una certa descrizione, chiamata criteri di ammissibilità. Alcuni esempi di questi criteri sono le condizioni generali di salute di una persona o trattamenti precedenti.

Criteri di ammissibilità

Età idonea allo studio

  • Bambino

Accetta volontari sani

Sì

Descrizione

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Children with CHD: Born with CHD; Underwent cardiopulmonary bypass surgery before the age of one; Children with a genetic disorder or syndromal disorder will be included, if standardized IQ testing with WISC-V can be conducted, and self-rated questionnaires can be filled in; Aged 9 years 0 months to 13 years 11 months (at time of recruitment); Oral informed consent by potential participants (all ages) and parents, as well as written informed consent of parents; EF deficits showing in screening (BRIEF-score ≥ 60)
  • Healthy Controls: Aged 9 years 0 months to 13 years 11 months (at time of recruitment); Oral informed consent by potential participants (all ages) and parents, as well as written informed consent of parents

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Children with CHD: Heart surgery without cardiopulmonary bypass; Children with known large cerebral lesions or injuries, including stroke and severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy with significant neurological sequelae; Insufficient German language skills of the child and parent(s); Attending a separative special educational school (Separative Sonderschulung)
  • Healthy Controls: preterm birth (<36 weeks of gestation); diagnosed with a neurological or substantial developmental disorder (e.g., learning disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorder); Insufficient German language skills of the child and parent(s); Attending a separative special educational school (Separative Sonderschulung)

Piano di studio

Questa sezione fornisce i dettagli del piano di studio, compreso il modo in cui lo studio è progettato e ciò che lo studio sta misurando.

Come è strutturato lo studio?

Dettagli di progettazione

  • Scopo principale: Altro
  • Assegnazione: Randomizzato
  • Modello interventistico: Assegnazione parallela
  • Mascheramento: Separare

Armi e interventi

Gruppo di partecipanti / Arm
Intervento / Trattamento
Sperimentale: Congenital Heart Disease Children Intervention Group
The children in the intervention group will participate in the 12-week long E-Fit intervention to enhance their executive functions.
Altro: E-Fit Intervention

The E-Fit Intervention lasts a total of 12 weeks and consists of three parts: strategy coaching, computerized training, and a analog games.

For the strategy coaching, the children meet once a week with a member of the study team. During these sessions, they discuss challenges from their everyday lives and work together to find solutions and develop helpful strategies.

In the computerized training, the children train three times per week for 20 minutes each time. The games are designed to improve executive functions including working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning and inhibition.

In addition, families receive card or board games. They can decide for themselves whether and how often they play these games at home.

There are also three coaching sessions with parents, addressing the discussed strategies, as well as challenges faced by children with cCHD. Optionally, teachers will receive an eLearning course.
Nessun intervento: Congenital Heart Disease Children Control Group
Children in this group will fill in daily activity logs during the 12 week period. After data collection they will get access to a delayed E-Fit Intervention.
Nessun intervento: Healthy Control Group
Children in this group will fill in daily activity logs during the 12 week period.

Cosa sta misurando lo studio?

Misure di risultato primarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Changes in executive functions in everyday life from pre-intervention to post-intervention
Lasso di tempo: Screening, 3 months
The primary outcome measure will be assessed at the pre-intervention and post-intervention visit with the Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Function (BRIEF)
Screening, 3 months

Misure di risultato secondarie

Misura del risultato
Misura Descrizione
Lasso di tempo
Persisting effects of the E-Fit intervention on executive functions in everyday life, 3 months after the post-intervention visit.
Lasso di tempo: Screening, 3 months, 6 months
The outcome measure will be assessed at each timepoint throughout the study with the Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Function (BRIEF)
Screening, 3 months, 6 months
Resting-state functional connectivity
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Functional connectivity measures using resting state fMRI
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Task-based fMRI activation during executive function tasks
Lasso di tempo: Baseline
Brain activity during executive function tasks assessing working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility. Group differences between children with cCHD and healthy controls will be assessed.
Baseline
Training-related changes in task-based fMRI activation
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Change in task-related brain activity from baseline (T0) to post-intervention (T1) and follow-up (T2) following the E-Fit intervention.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Multi-shell diffusion-tensor imaging
Lasso di tempo: 3 months
White matter microstructural integrity, neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging assessed using multi-shell diffusion MRI metrics
3 months
Myelin Mapping with multiparametric MRI
Lasso di tempo: 6 months
Quantitative MRI-derived measures of brain myelination and tissue composition using a relaxometry MRI sequence
6 months
Color Word Interference Test (D-KEFS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Color-Word Interference Test from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS) assesses executive functions including processing speed, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Participants complete color naming, word reading, inhibition, and inhibition/switching tasks. Outcome measures include completion times and errors across conditions.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Alertness (TAP)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Alertness subtest of the Test Battery for Attention Performance (TAP) assesses basic attention and alertness. Participants respond as quickly as possible to visual stimuli. Outcome measures include reaction times and reaction time variability.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Go/No-Go (TAP)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The TAP Go/No-Go subtest assesses inhibitory control and selective attention. Participants respond to target stimuli while withholding responses to predefined non-target stimuli. Outcome measures include reaction times, omission errors, and commission errors.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Tower Test (D-KEFS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The D-KEFS Tower Test assesses planning, problem solving, rule learning, and goal-directed behavior. Participants move discs across pegs to reproduce predefined tower configurations while following specific rules. Outcome measures include achievement scores, completion time, and rule violations.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Trail Making Test (D-KEFS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Trail Making Test from the D-KEFS assesses cognitive flexibility, visual scanning, sequencing, and set-shifting abilities. Participants connect numbers and letters according to task-specific rules. Outcome measures include completion time and errors.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Regensburger Word Fluency Test (RWT)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Regensburger Word Fluency Test (RWT) assesses verbal fluency and cognitive flexibility. The test includes phonemic fluency, semantic fluency, and category-switching conditions. Participants generate words according to phonemic or semantic criteria and alternate between semantic categories under time constraints. Outcome measures include the number of correct responses and switching performance.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Digit Span Backward (WISC-V)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Digit Span Backward subtest of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC-V) assesses verbal working memory. Participants repeat sequences of numbers in reverse order. Outcome measures are based on the number of correctly recalled sequences.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Number-Letter Sequencing (WISC-V)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The WISC-V Number-Letter Sequencing subtest assesses working memory and mental manipulation of information. Participants reorder mixed sequences of numbers and letters according to predefined rules. Outcome measures are based on the number of correctly recalled sequences.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Balloon Analogue Risk Task (BART) assesses risk-taking behavior and decision-making under uncertainty. Participants inflate a virtual balloon to earn points while balancing potential rewards against the risk of losing accumulated points if the balloon explodes. Outcome measures include average adjusted pumps and total points earned.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Design Fluency Test (D-KEFS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Design Fluency Test from the D-KEFS assesses nonverbal fluency, cognitive flexibility, and visual creativity. Participants generate as many unique designs as possible while following specific task rules. Outcome measures include the number of correct designs and errors.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Coding (WISC-V)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The WISC-V Coding subtest assesses processing speed. Participants rapidly match symbols to numbers according to a predefined key within a limited time period. Outcome measures are based on the number of correctly completed items.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Symbol Search (WISC-V)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The WISC-V Symbol Search subtest assesses processing speed and visual discrimination. Participants determine whether target symbols are present among a set of search symbols within a limited time period. Outcome measures are based on the number of correct responses.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Digit Span Forward (WISC-V)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The WISC-V Digit Span Forward subtest assesses auditory attention and immediate verbal recall. Participants repeat sequences of numbers in the same order as presented. Outcome measures are based on the number of correctly recalled sequences.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Pegboard & Beads Task (Zürcher Neuromotorik II)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
The Pegboard & Beads Task from Zürcher Neuromotorik II assesses fine motor skills. Participants complete tasks requiring precise hand and finger movements. Outcome measures are based on task performance and completion time.
Baseline, 3 months, and 6 months
Stress assess by hair cortisol concentrations
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 6 months
Physiological stress assessed by cortisol concentration measured in 3 cm hair samples
Baseline, 6 months
Stress measures using heart rate variability during MRI acquisition
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Stress assessed by heart rate variability derived from pulse oximetry recordings acquired during MRI data collection
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Behavior Rating Inventory for Executive Function (BRIEF)
Lasso di tempo: 3 months, 6 months (follow-up)
Assesses executive functions in the home environment. This questionnaire assesses 8 dimensions of behaviour: Inhibitory control, shift, emotional control, initiate, working memory (WM), planning, organization of materials and monitor.
3 months, 6 months (follow-up)
Family Relationship Index (FRI)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
The FRI is a self-report measure for parents that provides an overall index of the quality of the family environment, as well as subscores that reflect family cohesion, expressiveness, and conflict.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Short Form-12 (SF-12)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
The SF-12 is a self-report measure for parents that assesses quality of life (QoL) and provides two summary scores, with higher scores indicating higher QoL.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Kidscreen-27
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Assesses the subjective health and well-being of the child from the perspective of a parent.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Kidscreen-10
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Assesses the subjective health and well-being of the child from his/her own perspective.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report measure for adults to assess mental health.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Parenting Stress Index (PSI-4)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
The German version of the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-4). A self-report measure for adults to assess stress.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Questionnaire for assessing stress and stress coping abilities of children and adolescents (SSKJ 3-8R)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire that assesses stress and stress coping abilities of children and adolescents. Assessment of subscales stress vulnerability and the stress symptoms and well-being will be done, with higher scores indicating higher stress vulnerability and stress symptoms and well-being.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Resilience Scale (RS-13)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report for adults that measures a global score for resilience, with a higher score indicating higher resilience.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Resilience scale for children aged 7-10 years (RS-GS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire that assesses resilience of children aged 7-10 years. Higher scores indicate higher resilience.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Resilience scale for adolescents (RS-J)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire that assesses resilience of adolescents aged 10-18 years. Higher scores indicate higher resilience.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Questionnaire assessing personal and social resources of children and adolescents (FRKJ 8-16)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire that assesses personal and social resources of children and adolescents. Subscales assessed being self-efficacy and self-esteem. Higher scores indicate better resources.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Conners-3 Parent Short form (Conners 3-P(S))
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A proxy-questionnaire for children, filled in by their parents that assesses their child's behavior.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire for adults to assess anxiety and depression, mainly anxiety.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 6-18R)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A proxy-questionnaire completed by the parents for their child. The anxious/depressed subscale (CBCL-A/D) will be used to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression. Higher scores indicate higher anxiety and depression
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Youth Self Report (YSR 11-18R)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire completed by the child to assess symptoms of anxiety and depression with the anxious/depressed subscale (YSR-A/D). Higher scores indicate higher anxiety and depression.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire for adults that assesses depression.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A proxy-questionnaire filled in by parents for their child. The SRS assesses social impairment in children.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A proxy-questionnaire completed by the parents for their child. The CSHQ assesses sleep quality with 8 subscales regarding sleep habits, sleep problems and fatigue.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire for children and assesses sleepiness and fatigue. Higher scores indicate more acute daytime sleepiness.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
International Trauma Questionnaire for children and adolescents (ITQ-CA)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Available as a self-report questionnaire for children and adolescents and a proxy-report questionnaire for caregivers. Caregivers will be completing the questionnaire for their children. The ITQ-CA assesses trauma and trauma related problems. A higher total score indicates higher trauma related load.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
Pubertal Development Scale (PDS)
Lasso di tempo: Baseline, 3 months, 6 months
A self-report questionnaire for children to assess puberty status. Calculation of an overall gender specific pubertal development score will be done.
Baseline, 3 months, 6 months

Collaboratori e investigatori

Qui è dove troverai le persone e le organizzazioni coinvolte in questo studio.

Sponsor

Bea Latal

Studiare le date dei record

Queste date tengono traccia dell'avanzamento della registrazione dello studio e dell'invio dei risultati di sintesi a ClinicalTrials.gov. I record degli studi e i risultati riportati vengono esaminati dalla National Library of Medicine (NLM) per assicurarsi che soddisfino specifici standard di controllo della qualità prima di essere pubblicati sul sito Web pubblico.

Studia le date principali

Inizio studio (Stimato)

1 agosto 2026

Completamento primario (Stimato)

1 dicembre 2030

Completamento dello studio (Stimato)

1 dicembre 2030

Date di iscrizione allo studio

Primo inviato

11 giugno 2026

Primo inviato che soddisfa i criteri di controllo qualità

2 luglio 2026

Primo Inserito (Effettivo)

9 luglio 2026

Aggiornamenti dei record di studio

Ultimo aggiornamento pubblicato (Effettivo)

9 luglio 2026

Ultimo aggiornamento inviato che soddisfa i criteri QC

2 luglio 2026

Ultimo verificato

1 luglio 2026

Maggiori informazioni

Termini relativi a questo studio

Termini MeSH pertinenti aggiuntivi

Altri numeri di identificazione dello studio

  • 2026-INV-001
  • 10003319 (Altro numero di sovvenzione/finanziamento: Swiss National Science Foundation)

Informazioni su farmaci e dispositivi, documenti di studio

Studia un prodotto farmaceutico regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Studia un dispositivo regolamentato dalla FDA degli Stati Uniti

No

Queste informazioni sono state recuperate direttamente dal sito web clinicaltrials.gov senza alcuna modifica. In caso di richieste di modifica, rimozione o aggiornamento dei dettagli dello studio, contattare register@clinicaltrials.gov. Non appena verrà implementata una modifica su clinicaltrials.gov, questa verrà aggiornata automaticamente anche sul nostro sito web .

Prove cliniche su E-Fit Intervention

Cerca prove simili

Sponsor e collaboratori

Condizioni mediche

Interventi farmacologici

CROs by country

CROs in Congo, DR of

Condizioni

Malattie rare

Interventi farmacologici

Supplementi dietetici

Sponsor / Collaboratori

Sedi

3
Sottoscrivi