This study aims to evaluate the validity and effectiveness of NEMO-I (Neuro-cognitive Emotion Monitoring-Intervention), a mobile application designed to help adolescents monitor and manage their cognitive and emotional functioning in everyday settings. NEMO-I delivers evidence-based psychological techniques-such as mindfulness, self-regulation training, and emotion monitoring-in a gamified format consisting of seven brief activities that users can complete at home in about 10 minutes each. A total of 140 middle and high school students will participate. Participants will complete standardized neuropsychological and psychological assessments before and after the intervention period. During the 21-day intervention period, participants will use the NEMO-I application at home each day at their convenience (a minimum of 10 minutes per day is recommended). By comparing pre- and post-intervention assessment results, this study seeks to determine whether the application produces meaningful benefits for adolescent mental health and to establish its suitability as a digital mental health tool.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
140
NEMO-I is a mobile application that delivers evidence-based psychological techniques in a gamified format. It consists of seven brief activities-including facial expression imitation, singing, breathing and stretching with nature sounds, reading tips for everyday concerns, rhythm-based instrument play, room decoration, and mindfulness-each designed to be completed at home in about 10 minutes. Participants use the application daily during the 21-day intervention period, at their convenience, with a recommended minimum of 10 minutes per day.
Seoul Women's University
Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
Change in depressive symptoms
Depressive symptoms are measured using the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), a 21-item self-report questionnaire. Total scores range from 0 to 63, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. Change is assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention scores.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in inhibitory control (Color-Word Stroop Test, CWST)
Inhibitory control is assessed using the Color-Word Stroop Test (CWST), which measures the efficiency of the frontal-lobe inhibition process. Performance is indexed by response time and error rate under the color-word interference condition. Change is assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention performance.
Time frame: Baseline(pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in anxiety symptoms
Anxiety symptoms are measured using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), a 21-item self-report questionnaire assessing the severity of anxiety-related symptoms. Higher scores indicate greater anxiety. Change is assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention scores.
Time frame: Baseline(pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in neuro-cognitive and emotional function (NEMO-A)
Neuro-cognitive and emotional function is assessed using the NEMO-A (Neuro-cognitive Emotion Monitoring-Assessment) application, a tablet-based, game-format assessment consisting of five subtasks. It measures domains including sustained attention, working memory, emotional sensitivity, emotion processing and recognition, audiovisual emotional integration, cognitive control, and executive function. Performance is indexed by accuracy and response time, and change is assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention performance.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in visual attention and processing speed (Children's Color Trails Test, CCTT)
Visual attention, psychomotor speed, sequential processing, and divided/sustained visual attention are assessed using the Children's Color Trails Test (CCTT). Performance is indexed by completion time (seconds). Change is assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention performance.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in set-shifting ability (Trail Making Test-B, TMT-B)
Set-shifting ability and cognitive flexibility are assessed using the Trail Making Test-B (TMT-B), which requires alternating between numbers and letters in sequence. Performance is indexed by completion time (seconds). Change is assessed by comparing pre- and post-intervention performance.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in subjective stress
Subjective stress is measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS), on which participants rate their current perceived stress level from 1 (no stress) to 10 (extreme stress).
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in daily stress
Daily stress is measured using a 26-item self-report scale assessing stress experienced in everyday domains such as parents, school, academics, peer relationships, appearance, and finances, rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Baseline(pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in alexithymia
Difficulty identifying and describing one's own emotions is measured using the Korean version of the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20K), rated on a 5-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in executive function difficulties (self-report)
Self-reported executive function difficulties are measured using the Brief Self-Report Questionnaire of Executive Function Difficulty for children and adolescents (40 items), rated on a 3-point Likert scale.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in peer relationship quality
The quality of peer relationships is measured using a 13-item self-report scale rated on a 4-point Likert scale, including items reflecting conflict and negative peer interactions.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in problem behaviors (CBCL 6-18, parent report)
Problem behaviors are assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 6-18 (CBCL 6-18), completed by a parent or primary caregiver. It includes internalizing problems (e.g., anxiety, depression, somatic complaints) and externalizing problems (e.g., rule-breaking, aggressive behavior).
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Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period
Change in ADHD symptoms (ARS, parent report)
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity symptoms are assessed using the ADHD Rating Scale (ARS), an 18-item parent-report questionnaire comprising inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity subscales.
Time frame: Baseline (pre-intervention) and after the 21-day intervention period