Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
Abstract Background Mental health disorders are one of the leading causes of illness globally. The importance of psychosocial skills acquired in early childhood, such as executive functions, inhibitory control, emotional regulation, and social problem-solving, in preventing mental disorders has been...
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BMC
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01593-w |
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| author | Jorge Gaete Saray Ramírez Cristian A. Rojas-Barahona Valentina Romo Natalia Ríos Ricardo Araya |
| author_facet | Jorge Gaete Saray Ramírez Cristian A. Rojas-Barahona Valentina Romo Natalia Ríos Ricardo Araya |
| author_sort | Jorge Gaete |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Mental health disorders are one of the leading causes of illness globally. The importance of psychosocial skills acquired in early childhood, such as executive functions, inhibitory control, emotional regulation, and social problem-solving, in preventing mental disorders has been reported. Furthermore, mental health care delivery is evolving, and mobile technology is becoming the medium for assessment and intervention. We have developed Japi 2.0, the second iteration of a gaming platform, to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood, supported by early years educators using a web-based dashboard integrated into one system. This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of this gaming platform and web-based dashboards. Methods This is a pilot randomized controlled trial, parallel-group type, where the school-based implementation of “Japi 2.0” training is compared to standard school curricula in control schools. A total of six schools with low socio-economic status located in the city of Santiago, Chile, are expected to be recruited and randomized with 1:1 allocation. Japi 2.0 has 24 sessions, and 2 sessions of 15 min per week are delivered for 12 weeks. Measures will be conducted using different instruments with children, parents, and early years educators to gain insight into their acceptance of the intervention and the development of cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Discussion This is a randomized control trial to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a gaming platform called “Japi 2.0” among preschoolers in Chile. This platform stimulates cognitive and non-cognitive skills with the final objective of reducing emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood. Evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of this technological solution for children is expected to produce relevant information about these novel designs. It may help guide future studies, such as a randomized controlled trial on a larger scale. Trial registration Clinical Trials NCT06420544, May 20, 2024 [ https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06420544 ]. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-37bbea28739348a0bc9605dec6ed274d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj-art-37bbea28739348a0bc9605dec6ed274d2025-01-12T12:08:31ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842025-01-0111111110.1186/s40814-025-01593-wJapi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trialJorge Gaete0Saray Ramírez1Cristian A. Rojas-Barahona2Valentina Romo3Natalia Ríos4Ricardo Araya5Research Center for Students Mental Health (ISME), School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de los AndesResearch Center for Students Mental Health (ISME), School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de los AndesFaculty of Psychology, Universidad de TalcaResearch Center for Students Mental Health (ISME), School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de los AndesResearch Center for Students Mental Health (ISME), School of Education, Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de los AndesDepartment of Health Service & Population Research, David Goldberg Centre, King’s College LondonAbstract Background Mental health disorders are one of the leading causes of illness globally. The importance of psychosocial skills acquired in early childhood, such as executive functions, inhibitory control, emotional regulation, and social problem-solving, in preventing mental disorders has been reported. Furthermore, mental health care delivery is evolving, and mobile technology is becoming the medium for assessment and intervention. We have developed Japi 2.0, the second iteration of a gaming platform, to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood, supported by early years educators using a web-based dashboard integrated into one system. This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of this gaming platform and web-based dashboards. Methods This is a pilot randomized controlled trial, parallel-group type, where the school-based implementation of “Japi 2.0” training is compared to standard school curricula in control schools. A total of six schools with low socio-economic status located in the city of Santiago, Chile, are expected to be recruited and randomized with 1:1 allocation. Japi 2.0 has 24 sessions, and 2 sessions of 15 min per week are delivered for 12 weeks. Measures will be conducted using different instruments with children, parents, and early years educators to gain insight into their acceptance of the intervention and the development of cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Discussion This is a randomized control trial to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a gaming platform called “Japi 2.0” among preschoolers in Chile. This platform stimulates cognitive and non-cognitive skills with the final objective of reducing emotional and behavioral problems in early childhood. Evaluating the acceptability and feasibility of this technological solution for children is expected to produce relevant information about these novel designs. It may help guide future studies, such as a randomized controlled trial on a larger scale. Trial registration Clinical Trials NCT06420544, May 20, 2024 [ https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06420544 ].https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01593-wAcceptabilityFeasibilityCognitive skillsNon-cognitive skillsWorking memoryInhibitory control |
| spellingShingle | Jorge Gaete Saray Ramírez Cristian A. Rojas-Barahona Valentina Romo Natalia Ríos Ricardo Araya Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial Pilot and Feasibility Studies Acceptability Feasibility Cognitive skills Non-cognitive skills Working memory Inhibitory control |
| title | Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Japi 2.0, a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non-cognitive skills in early childhood: protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | japi 2 0 a gaming platform to stimulate cognitive and non cognitive skills in early childhood protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Acceptability Feasibility Cognitive skills Non-cognitive skills Working memory Inhibitory control |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-025-01593-w |
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