Classroom mindfulness, compassion, and social-emotional programs for children in grades 3–7.
The PACE Study (Present-Moment Awareness, Attention, Compassion, Emotion Regulation): Effects of School-Based Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
This project will try classroom mindfulness, compassion, and social-emotional activities to help children in grades 3–7 improve attention, emotion regulation, and thinking skills.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 500 (estimated) |
| Ages | 8 Years to 13 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris Academic / other |
| Locations | 4 sites (Florence, Firenze and 3 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07398781 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Children in grades 3–7 in participating schools receive one of three classroom programs: a mindfulness-based program, a compassion-focused training, or a social-emotional learning (SEL) program. Interventions are delivered through structured experiential activities by trained facilitators during regular class time. Participants complete standardized cognitive tests and questionnaires before and after the program that measure attention, executive function, emotion regulation, mindfulness, self-compassion, and social-emotional skills. The work is conducted by IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris in collaboration with the Universities of Pisa and Florence and includes schools in Pisa and Florence, Italy.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal participants are primary school students in grades 3–7 who attend participating schools in Pisa or Florence and have signed parental consent.
Not a fit: Children outside grades 3–7, those without parental consent, or students who require specialized clinical interventions are unlikely to benefit from these universal classroom programs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these programs could improve children's attention, emotional regulation, and social skills, supporting better learning and mental well-being.
How similar studies have performed: Prior school-based mindfulness and social-emotional learning programs have shown modest improvements in attention, behavior, and well-being, while direct comparisons including compassion-focused training in schools are more limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must be primary school students (grades 3rd-7th) Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of signed consent
Where this trial is running
Florence, Firenze and 3 other locations
- Università degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Scienze della Formazione e Psicologia — Florence, Firenze, Italy (Recruiting)
- Università di Pisa — Pisa, Pisa, Italy (Recruiting)
- IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris — Pisa, Pisa, Italy (Recruiting)
- John Cabot University — Roma, Roma, Italy (Active_not_recruiting)
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.