Do brief mindfulness training and attention training games improve self control in 6-10 year-old children adopted internationally?

A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness and executive function trainings to promote self-regulation in internationally adopted children

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN17744284

Enrollment

105

Registered

2016-07-18

Start date

2012-02-16

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2019-03-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Self-regulation Mental and Behavioural Disorders Self-regulation

Interventions

A two-wave stratified random sampling technique is used to assign participants into the mindfulness training group, executive function training group, or control group in a 1:1:1 multi-arm parallel de

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Internationally adopted 2. Aged between 6 and 10 years old at the start of the intervention 3. The family lives within a 50-mile radius of the university campus where the study takes place

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. A diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, or severe cognitive impairment 2. Children with extensive yoga or traditional martial arts participation were excluded (due to the mindfulness components of each)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Inhibitory control is measured using the Dinky Toys task at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 2. Delay of gratification is measured using the Star Game at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 3. Selective attention is measured using the Color Flanker Task at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 4. Emotion regulation is measured by experimenter (blind to condition) rating of participant behavior over the course of the testing session at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 5. Event-related potentials measured by EEG during Color Flanker Task at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 6. Child internalizing and externalizing symptoms measured using the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Inhibitory control is measured using the Dinky Toys task at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 2. Delay of gratification is measured using the Star Game at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 3. Selective attention is measured using the Color Flanker Task at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 4. Emotion regulation is measured by experimenter (blind to condition) rating of participant behavior over the course of the testing session at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 5. Event-related potentials measured by EEG during Color Flanker Task at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention 6. Child internalizing and externalizing symptoms measured using the MacArthur Health and Behavior Questionnaire at baseline and 1-2 weeks post intervention

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
1. Emotional regulation and emotion lability are measured using the Emotion-regulation Checklist (ERC) 4 months post intervention (rated by classroom teachers) 2. Emotional problems and hyperactivity/inattention problems are measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire: (SDQ) 4 months post intervention (rated by classroom teachers)	—

Countries

United States of America

Contacts

Public ContactJamie Lawler

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026