Determining the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation training on academic self-efficacy of students with learning disabilities
Design
A controlled clinical trial with parallel, Open label, randomized groups on 50 students in Ahvaz. The rand function of Excel software was used for randomization.
Settings and conduct
This study is a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group.
They are divided into two groups (intervention and control). The intervention group undergoes 8 to 12 sessions of cognitive rehabilitation training, and the control group does not receive any intervention during this period. After completing the sessions, both groups participate in the post-test again to assess changes in academic self-efficacy. The study was conducted in selected elementary schools in Ahvaz that cover students with learning disabilities (in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Learning Disorders Centers). It is not blinded.
Participants/Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Students in grades 4 to 6 of elementary school, no specific diseases, written consent from parents and students to participate in the research, low score on the academic self-efficacy scale. Exclusion criteria: Presence of chronic physical or neurological diseases, simultaneous participation in other similar interventional studies, intellectual disabilities.
Intervention groups
Intervention group: This group includes students who receive the Cognitive Rehabilitation Training program.
Control group: This group does not receive any specific cognitive intervention during the study period and only participates in pre-test and post-test assessments.
Main outcome variables
Students' academic self-efficacy
General information
Reason for update
Acronym
IRCT registration information
IRCT registration number:IRCT20250703066351N1
Registration date:2025-08-21, 1404/05/30
Registration timing:prospective
Last update:2025-08-21, 1404/05/30
Update count:0
Registration date
2025-08-21, 1404/05/30
Registrant information
Name
Maryam. Beithardan
Name of organization / entity
Country
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Phone
+98 61 3334 0292
Email address
maryam.beithardan9094@gmail.com
Recruitment status
Recruitment complete
Funding source
Expected recruitment start date
2025-09-10, 1404/06/19
Expected recruitment end date
2026-03-10, 1404/12/19
Actual recruitment start date
empty
Actual recruitment end date
empty
Trial completion date
empty
Scientific title
The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation training on academic self-efficacy of students with learning disabilities
Public title
The effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation training on academic self-efficacy of students with learning disabilities
Purpose
Education/Guidance
Inclusion/Exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:
Students in grades four to six of elementary school
Having a learning disability
Low score on the academic self-efficacy scale
Written consent from parents and students to participate in the research
Willingness to participate in all intervention sessions and research assessments
Exclusion criteria:
Concomitant receipt of other similar psychological interventions (e.g., CBT, other cognitive rehabilitation) within the past 6 months.
The presence of severe comorbid psychiatric disorders (such as severe ADHD, severe depression, or anxiety) that require immediate specialist intervention.
Having a chronic physical or neurological condition (such as active epilepsy, uncorrected vision or hearing problems) that prevents participation in training sessions
Simultaneous participation in other similar interventional studies
Age
From 6 years old to 20 years old
Gender
Both
Phase
N/A
Groups that have been masked
Outcome assessor
Data analyser
Data and Safety Monitoring Board
Sample size
Target sample size:
50
Randomization (investigator's opinion)
Randomized
Randomization description
Participants are randomly assigned to two groups (intervention and control) using the RAND function in Excel software or a random number table.
Blinding (investigator's opinion)
Single blinded
Blinding description
In this study, participating students with learning disabilities will be unaware of whether they are receiving cognitive rehabilitation training. This blinding ensures that students' expectations do not influence their assessment of academic self-efficacy and that the results will be more accurate.
Placebo
Not used
Assignment
Parallel
Other design features
Secondary Ids
empty
Ethics committees
1
Ethics committee
Name of ethics committee
Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Approval date
2025-04-04, 1404/01/15
Ethics committee reference number
IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1404.009
Health conditions studied
1
Description of health condition studied
Specific Learning Disorder - SLD
ICD-10 code
F81
ICD-10 code description
Specific developmental disorders of scholastic skills
Primary outcomes
1
Description
Academic Self-Efficacy
Timepoint
Before the start of the intervention (first session) and immediately after the end of the intervention period (last session)
Method of measurement
The Morgan & Jinks Academic Self-Efficacy Scale or a validated, localized equivalent scale.
Secondary outcomes
1
Description
Learning disorder
Timepoint
At the beginning of the study (before the intervention began) and two months later (when the intervention ended)
Method of measurement
Academic Self-Efficacy Scale
Intervention groups
1
Description
Intervention title: Cognitive rehabilitation training, Intervention goal: Increasing the academic self-efficacy of students with specific learning disabilities by strengthening basic cognitive functions (attention, working memory, planning, organization, and problem solving). Intervention specifications: Number of sessions: 10 sessions Duration of each session: 45 to 60 minutes Frequency of sessions: 2 sessions per week (total of 5 weeks) Venue: School counseling room or Ahvaz Learning Rehabilitation Center Implementation method: Group (4 to 6 people) or individual depending on the conditions.
Category
N/A
2
Description
Control group: Students in this group do not receive any cognitive rehabilitation intervention during the study period and only participate in pre-test and post-test assessments. After the end of the intervention period and post-test, in order to comply with ethical considerations, this group can also be given the opportunity to participate in cognitive rehabilitation training sessions. Purpose of the control group: To compare changes in academic self-efficacy in students who did not receive the intervention, in order to examine the actual effectiveness of the cognitive rehabilitation program.
Category
N/A
Recruitment centers
1
Recruitment center
Name of recruitment center
Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Unit
Full name of responsible person
Parvin Ehtesham
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Sponsors / Funding sources
1
Sponsor
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Pejman Taghipour Birgani
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 8420
Email
info@iauahvaz.ac.ir
Grant name
Grant code / Reference number
Is the source of funding the same sponsor organization/entity?
Yes
Title of funding source
Islamic Azad University
Proportion provided by this source
100
Public or private sector
Public
Domestic or foreign origin
Domestic
Category of foreign source of funding
empty
Country of origin
Type of organization providing the funding
Academic
Person responsible for general inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Parvin Ehteshamzadeh
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 0292
Fax
Email
p_ehtesham85@yahoo.com
Person responsible for scientific inquiries
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Parvin Ehteshamzadeh
Position
Associate professor
Latest degree
Ph.D.
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 0292
Fax
Email
p_ehtesham85@yahoo.com
Person responsible for updating data
Contact
Name of organization / entity
Islamic Azad University
Full name of responsible person
Maryam. Beithardan
Position
Student
Latest degree
Bachelor
Other areas of specialty/work
Psychology
Street address
Islamic Azad University Ahvaz Branch، Farhangshahr، Golestan Highway
City
Ahvaz
Province
Khouzestan
Postal code
3733361349
Phone
+98 61 3334 0292
Fax
Email
maryam.beithardan9094@gmail.com
Sharing plan
Deidentified Individual Participant Data Set (IPD)
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Study Protocol
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available
Statistical Analysis Plan
Not applicable
Informed Consent Form
Undecided - It is not yet known if there will be a plan to make this available