Academic Achievement in MathNCT00792116
The Effects of Gum Chewing on Math Scores in Adolescents
A study testing Gum Chewing in people with Academic Achievement in Math, run by Baylor College of Medicine.
Trial summary
Context: Gum chewing has been shown to increase cognitive functioning. With the rise in standardized testing of school-age children and the concurrent attempts to improve their scores, finding simple and inexpensive methods to bolster performance is needed. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 13 to 16 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Academic Achievement in Math
- What is being tested?
- Gum Chewing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 108 participants
- Where
- No sites listed yet
- Study dates
- Feb 2008to May 2008
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 13 to 16 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Enrollment in eight grade math class
Who cannot join
- Parents did not consent to participation
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Gum Chewing on Standardized Math Scores in Adolescents
Context: Gum chewing has been shown to increase cognitive functioning. With the rise in standardized testing of school-age children and the concurrent attempts to improve their scores, finding simple and inexpensive methods to bolster performance is needed.
Objective: To examine the effects of gum chewing on standardized test scores and class grades in a group of 8th grade math students.
Read more
Design: Math classes were randomized to a gum chewing (GC) condition that provided students with gum during class and testing, or a control condition with no gum (NG) provided during class and testing. This study was conducted during the Spring 2008 school semester.
Setting: A charter school in Houston, TX.
Participants: All students enrolled in eighth grade math at the charter school were approached for recruitment in this study. A total of 108 (94%) students participated. Participants were between the ages of 13 and 16.
Main Outcome Measures: The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III), and math class grades were used to assess any differences in academic performance between the GC and NGC conditions. For purposes of this study, only the math sections of the WJ-III and TAKS, which are both standardized tests, were assessed.
Our primary hypothesis was that adolescents in a gum chewing (GC) condition would have significantly improved standardized test scores and math grades compared to adolescents in a non-gum chewing (NG) control condition.
- Conditions
- Academic Achievement in Math
- Being tested
- Gum Chewing
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Gum ChewingBehavioural
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Gum Chewing | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Gum Chewing |
| Non-gum chewing | No intervention | Not described |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Math Scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)
The TAKS test is a statewide standardized test administered to all Texas schoolchildren (15). The TAKS assesses reading, math, science, and social studies for 8th grade students; however, the current study analyzed only math scores.
Measured: the beginning of a school semester
Math Grades
Measured: baseline (the beginning of a school semester )
Math Scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
The TAKS test is a statewide standardized test administered to all Texas schoolchildren (15). The TAKS assesses reading, math, science, and social studies for 8th grade students; however, the current study analyzed only math scores.
Measured: 14 weeks (end of the semester)
Math Grades
Measured: 14 week (end of the semester)
Secondary outcomes (3)
Math Scores on the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III)
The WJ-III (10) is a standardized test battery used to assess an individual's academic strengths and weaknesses. For purposes of the current study, students were given the 4 math subtests of the WJ-III.
Measured: the beginning of a school semester and 14 weeks later (the end of a school semester)
Scores on the Math Anxiety Rating Scale for Adolescents (MARS-A)
he MARS-A (12) is a 98-item scale that lists various everyday situations in which adolescents may have to use mathematics.
Measured: the beginning of a school semester and 14 weeks later (the end of a school semester)
State Anxiety Scores on the State Trait Anxiety Index for Children (STAIC).
The STAIC is a scale that distinguishes between a situationally based anxiety and a general intrinsic inclination towards experiencing feelings of anxiety
Measured: the beginning of a school semester and 14 weeks later (the end of a school semester)
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted17 Nov 2008 (estimated)
- Study startFeb 2008
- Primary completionMay 2008
- Study completionMay 2008
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (1)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for Academic Achievement in MathStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Baylor College of MedicineThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Children's Nutrition Research Center
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00792116
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- gum and math scores
- Status last verified
- Nov 2008
- First submitted
- 24 Oct 2008
- Last updated
- 20 Nov 2008
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
Publications
Johnston CA, Tyler C, Stansberry SA, Moreno JP, Foreyt JP. Brief report: gum chewing affects standardized math scores in adolescents. J Adolesc. 2012 Apr;35(2):455-9. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.04.003. Epub 2011 May 26.
PubMed 21620465
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 20 Nov 2008. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Gum Chewing on Standardized Math Scores in Adolescents
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT00792116
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- gum and math scores
- Conditions
- Academic Achievement in Math
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 108 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Baylor College of MedicineUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- The Children's Nutrition Research Center
- Study start
- Feb 2008
- Primary completion
- May 2008 (actual)
- Study completion
- May 2008 (actual)
- First posted
- 17 Nov 2008 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 17 Nov 2008
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Context: Gum chewing has been shown to increase cognitive functioning. With the rise in standardized testing of school-age children and the concurrent attempts to improve their scores, finding simple and inexpensive methods to bolster performance is needed.
Objective: To examine the effects of gum chewing on standardized test scores and class grades in a group of 8th grade math students.
Design: Math classes were randomized to a gum chewing (GC) condition that provided students with gum during class and testing, or a control condition with no gum (NG) provided during class and testing. This study was conducted during the Spring 2008 school semester.
Setting: A charter school in Houston, TX.
Participants: All students enrolled in eighth grade math at the charter school were approached for recruitment in this study. A total of 108 (94%) students participated. Participants were between the ages of 13 and 16.
Main Outcome Measures: The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III), and math class grades were used to assess any differences in academic performance between the GC and NGC conditions. For purposes of this study, only the math sections of the WJ-III and TAKS, which are both standardized tests, were assessed.
Our primary hypothesis was that adolescents in a gum chewing (GC) condition would have significantly improved standardized test scores and math grades compared to adolescents in a non-gum chewing (NG) control condition.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Gum Chewing | Experimental | Behavioral: Gum Chewing |
| Non-gum chewing | No intervention | – |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 13 to 16 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Enrollment in eight grade math class
Key exclusion criteria (1 listed)
- Parents did not consent to participation
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Gum Chewing | Behavioural | Gum Chewing |
Primary outcome
Math Scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS)
Time frame: the beginning of a school semester
The TAKS test is a statewide standardized test administered to all Texas schoolchildren (15). The TAKS assesses reading, math, science, and social studies for 8th grade students; however, the current study analyzed only math scores.
Math Grades
Time frame: baseline (the beginning of a school semester )
Math Scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
Time frame: 14 weeks (end of the semester)
The TAKS test is a statewide standardized test administered to all Texas schoolchildren (15). The TAKS assesses reading, math, science, and social studies for 8th grade students; however, the current study analyzed only math scores.
Math Grades
Time frame: 14 week (end of the semester)
3 secondary outcomes
Math Scores on the Woodcock Johnson III Tests of Achievement (WJ-III)
Time frame: the beginning of a school semester and 14 weeks later (the end of a school semester)
Scores on the Math Anxiety Rating Scale for Adolescents (MARS-A)
Time frame: the beginning of a school semester and 14 weeks later (the end of a school semester)
State Anxiety Scores on the State Trait Anxiety Index for Children (STAIC).
Time frame: the beginning of a school semester and 14 weeks later (the end of a school semester)
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 20 Nov 2008.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 21620465Johnston CA, Tyler C, Stansberry SA, Moreno JP, Foreyt JP. Brief report: gum chewing affects standardized math scores in adolescents. J Adolesc. 2012 Apr;35(2):455-9. doi: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2011.04.003. Epub 2011 May 26.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Gum Chewing in people with Academic Achievement in Math, run by Baylor College of Medicine.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 1 inclusion and 1 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 20 Nov 2008. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 17 Nov 2008). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Math Scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) (time frame: the beginning of a school semester). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00792116, which also lists 1 linked publication.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 20 Nov 2008.