Study Breaks for Executive Function

Overseen By Joanne DiFrancisco-Donoghue, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: New York Institute of Technology

Disqualifiers: No social media, Color blindness, ADHD, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

120 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different types of study breaks impact memory and attention in medical students. Participants will either take a short walk (Physical Activity Study Break), use social media (Social Media Study Break), or continue studying without a break to assess how each activity affects focus and memory. The goal is to determine which break type best supports learning and concentration. This trial suits medical students who regularly use social media and can engage in light physical activities like walking. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity for students to discover effective study habits that enhance learning and concentration.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that taking short breaks to move around, such as walking or stretching, can improve attention and brain function. Studies have found these breaks are generally safe and can enhance focus and mental sharpness.

For breaks involving social media, direct evidence about their safety is lacking. However, brief smartphone use is usually not harmful to physical health. It's important to note that excessive smartphone use can sometimes reduce focus and mood, even when not actively using the phone.

In summary, short activity breaks benefit attention, while short social media breaks are not harmful but may not enhance focus as effectively. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it explores how different study break activities might boost executive function, particularly for medical students. Unlike traditional methods that emphasize continuous study without breaks, this trial investigates the potential cognitive benefits of brief diversions. The trial compares a social media break and light physical activity with no break, hoping to identify which activity might improve focus and mental clarity. By understanding the best way to recharge, this study could revolutionize study habits and enhance academic performance.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for improving memory and attention?

This trial will compare different types of study breaks to assess their impact on executive function. Research has shown that taking breaks to be physically active, such as the Physical Activity Study Break in this trial, can greatly improve skills like memory and attention. Studies have found that these active breaks are particularly beneficial for children and teenagers. The positive effects of physical activity on thinking and focus are well known, making it an effective way to boost concentration and memory during study times.

In contrast, the Social Media Study Break, another arm of this trial, is being evaluated for its effects. Some studies suggest that merely having a smartphone nearby can distract and lower focus. While taking a break from digital devices might provide a short mental pause, it doesn't always enhance memory or attention. Thus, while physical activity is a proven method to improve thinking skills, the impact of social media breaks remains under investigation. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Amber Sousa, PhD

Principal Investigator

NYIT COM

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for medical students who regularly use social media and can do light physical activities like walking. It's not for those without social media usage, color blindness, attention disorders like ADHD, current concussion, or conditions preventing physical activity.

Inclusion Criteria

Have and regularly use some form of social media

I can do light activities like walking or moving my arms.

Exclusion Criteria

No social media usage

Color blindness (cognitive tests require color perception)

ADHD or other known conditions that affect attention and/or concentration

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Baseline Assessment

Participants complete a demographic form and baseline Stroop and Sustained Attention to Response Task tests

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Intervention

Participants engage in self-study followed by a break or continued study, and complete cognitive tasks

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are surveyed about their thoughts regarding their respective type of break or lack thereof and its effect on their studying

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Physical Activity Study Break
• Social Media Study Break

Trial Overview

The study compares the impact of different study breaks on memory and attention: an active break with walking or movement, a digital break using phones, and no break at all. Tests will measure how these breaks affect executive functions after studying.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Social Media Study Break Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Medical students will engage in a 10 minute social media study break

Group II: Physical Activity Study Break Active Control 1 Intervention

Medical student will engage in a 10 minute light physical activity study break

Group III: No study break Active Control 1 Intervention

Medical students will continue to study instead of a break

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

New York Institute of Technology

Lead Sponsor

Trials

56

Recruited

2,300+

Published Research Related to This Trial

In a study involving 26 healthy older adults, three types of sitting exercises (stepping, stretching, and finger movement) were found to significantly improve executive functioning compared to a resting control condition.

Among the exercises, finger movement was particularly effective, showing the greatest reduction in Stroop interference scores, indicating its strong positive impact on cognitive performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of acute exercise in the sitting position on executive function evaluated by the Stroop task in healthy older adults. Abe, T., Fujii, K., Hyodo, K., et al.[2020]

This study will investigate the effects of a 24-week resistance exercise program on executive function in 90 cognitively normal older adults aged 65-80, aiming to determine if physical exercise can improve cognitive decline associated with aging.

The trial will assess various outcomes, including changes in brain structure, function, and molecular biomarkers, to understand the mechanisms by which resistance exercise may benefit cognitive health and potentially reduce dementia risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Active Gains in brain Using Exercise During Aging (AGUEDA): protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Solis-Urra, P., Molina-Hidalgo, C., García-Rivero, Y., et al.[2023]

A systematic review of nine studies involving 547 sedentary adults aged 50 and older found that aerobic physical activity significantly improves memory, with a large effect size (g = 0.80), suggesting it can help delay cognitive decline.

The same review indicated a smaller but still positive effect on executive function (g = 0.37), highlighting the potential benefits of aerobic exercise for overall cognitive health in older adults without cognitive impairment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Aerobic physical activity to improve memory and executive function in sedentary adults without cognitive impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Hoffmann, CM., Petrov, ME., Lee, RE.[2021]

In a study involving 123 participants across different age groups, physical activity was found to significantly improve inhibition (a type of executive function) specifically in older adults (ages 71-81).

The improvement in inhibition was linked to cardiovascular fitness, suggesting that being physically active can enhance cognitive functions in aging individuals through better heart and lung health.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Impact of physical activity on executive functions in aging: a selective effect on inhibition among old adults. Boucard, GK., Albinet, CT., Bugaiska, A., et al.[2022]

In a study of 18 young adult college students, better executive function was linked to significantly less sedentary behavior over an 8-week period, with participants showing 91.8 fewer minutes of sedentary time for every 25% increase in executive function performance.

This suggests that improving executive function may be a useful strategy for reducing sedentary behavior in young adults, highlighting the potential for cognitive training to influence lifestyle habits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Executive function influences sedentary behavior: A longitudinal study. Loprinzi, PD., Nooe, A.[2020]

In a study of 75 older adults, those who were less sedentary demonstrated better executive function (EF) and memory, with faster Stroop test times indicating superior cognitive performance.

Sedentary behaviors, such as watching TV and napping, were linked to poorer EF and memory performance, suggesting that reducing sedentary time may benefit cognitive abilities in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The association between sedentary behavior and cognitive ability in older adults. Coelho, L., Hauck, K., McKenzie, K., et al.[2020]

A meta-analysis of 13 randomized controlled trials involving 752 sedentary individuals found that physical activity has a small to moderate beneficial effect on executive function (EF), particularly enhancing inhibitory control and working memory.

Longer interventions (over 12 weeks) and sessions lasting 45 minutes or more were more effective in improving EF, especially in older adults (60 years and above), suggesting that both duration and intensity of physical activity play crucial roles in cognitive benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Physical activity on executive function in sedentary individuals: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Tian, S., Liang, Z., Qiu, F., et al.[2023]

Regular physical exercise, particularly aerobic and mind-body exercises, positively impacts executive function in cognitively healthy adults aged 60 and older, improving working memory, cognitive flexibility, and inhibitory control.

Interventions lasting more than 13 weeks showed significant improvements in working memory and cognitive flexibility, while those over 26 weeks enhanced inhibitory control, highlighting the importance of exercise duration for cognitive benefits.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of physical exercise on executive function in cognitively healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials: Physical exercise for executive function. Xiong, J., Ye, M., Wang, L., et al.[2021]

Research on how physical activity affects executive function is still developing, highlighting the need for clearer definitions and methodologies in studies.

The commentary encourages researchers to justify their choice of executive function measures and consider using multiple assessments to better understand the relationship between physical activity and cognitive performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of physical activity on executive function: a brief commentary on definitions, measurement issues, and the current state of the literature. Etnier, JL., Chang, YK.[2022]

A study involving 99 cognitively normal older adults found that both high-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness compared to a control group, indicating the effectiveness of exercise in enhancing physical health.

Despite the improvements in fitness, the study did not find significant differences in overall executive function scores between the exercise groups and the control group, although increases in cardiorespiratory fitness were positively associated with improvements in specific cognitive areas like Updating/Working Memory and Verbal Generativity.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Randomized Controlled Trial of High-Intensity Exercise and Executive Functioning in Cognitively Normal Older Adults. Frost, NJ., Weinborn, M., Gignac, GE., et al.[2021]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12243236/

Effects of physically active lessons and active breaks on ...

In the current study, our primary objective was to investigate the effects of physically active lessons and active breaks on executive functions ...

2.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032725001855

Effect of physical activity interventions on executive ...

The meta-analysis included 19 studies, revealing that physical activity interventions significantly improved executive functions in school-aged children with ...

3.

frontiersin.org

frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1469998/full

Effectiveness of school-based active breaks on classroom ...

Discussion: This review suggests incorporating active breaks during school hours can improve classroom behavior in children and adolescents.

4.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06376864

Physical Activity Intervention Effects on Executive Function ...

The current study aims to implement the Activity Breaks intervention and evaluate its effectiveness on outcome measures of executive function (EF), physical ...

5.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8369035/

Examining the Acute Effects of Classroom-Based Physical ...

Physical activity breaks improved executive function scores in children, and both aerobic and musculoskeletal fitness levels moderated these ...

6.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11205001/

Ten-Minute Physical Activity Breaks Improve Attention and ...

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 10 min PABs interventions on improving healthcare workers' attentional and executive functions. Its specific ...

7.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2530380524000042

Active break as a tool for improving attention in the ...

Active breaks have now been shown to be a tool that helps improve physical health and some executive functions.

8.

tandfonline.com

tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1612197X.2025.2510251

A meta-analysis of physical activity interventions targeting ...

This meta-analysis included studies that met the following criteria: (1) Intervention studies on physical activity, physical education, sports, or physical ...

9.

nature.com

nature.com/articles/s41598-025-09674-9

Long term effects of physical activity types on executive ...

The current research aims to investigate the diverse effects of three types of structured physical activity interventions—namely, aerobic ...