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  5. /Effort Discounting Task

Clinical trials data

Effort Discounting Task in clinical trials: 46 registered studies

Every registered study on ClinicalTrials.gov that names the Effort Discounting Task in an outcome measure: the conditions it is used in, how often it is a primary outcome, the tests it is named with, and how large the studies are.

Registered studies name it in an outcome measure
46
Name it in a primary outcome, 50%
23 of 46
Against similar tests
Of studies started 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.3% in 2016 to 2020
0.4%
By year
Median participants per study
60
By phase
Try the Effort Discounting Task

The conditions it is used in

Each study counted once in each condition group it falls in.
  1. Depression and bipolar disorder15 studies, 5 as a primary outcome

  2. Healthy volunteers5 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  3. Pain and fatigue4 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  4. Parkinson's disease3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  5. COVID-19 and long COVID3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  6. Schizophrenia and psychosis2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  7. ADHD2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  8. Aging, frailty and exercise2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  9. Obesity and diabetes2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  10. Anxiety, PTSD and OCD2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  11. Brain injury and concussion1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  12. Multiple sclerosis1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  13. Cognitive impairment and decline1 study, 1 as a primary outcome

  14. Substance use and addiction1 study, 0 as a primary outcome

  15. Other conditions10 studies, 7 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

How often it is a primary outcome

The Effort Discounting Task is a primary outcome in 50% of its studies. Across the 30 executive function tests with a page here, the median is 37%.
  1. Cue Reactivity Task56% of 188 studies

  2. Effort Discounting Task50% of 46 studies

  3. Stroop Color-Word Test41% of 1,929 studies

  4. Tower Planning40% of 247 studies

  5. Task Switching Test40% of 334 studies

  6. Dimensional Change Card Sort38% of 214 studies

  7. Verbal Fluency37% of 1,745 studies

  8. Delay Discounting36% of 257 studies

  9. Clock Drawing Task35% of 281 studies

  10. Matrix Reasoning35% of 272 studies

  11. Card Sorting Test (Berg)34% of 411 studies

  12. Trail Making Test31% of 2,293 studies

  13. AX Continuous Performance Test17% of 191 studies

Studies by start year

0.4% of the registered studies that started in 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.3% of those that started in 2016 to 2020. 2026 is partly planned starts.
02000: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2002: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2003: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2004: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2005: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20052006: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2007: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2008: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2009: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2010: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20102011: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2012: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2013: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2014: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome2015: 0 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20152016: 4 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2017: 2 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2018: 1 studies, 1 with a test as a primary outcome2019: 3 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2020: 2 studies, 0 with a test as a primary outcome20202021: 4 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2022: 5 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome2023: 4 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome2024: 9 studies, 4 with a test as a primary outcome2025: 6 studies, 3 with a test as a primary outcome20252026: 6 studies, 2 with a test as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

Show as a table
Registered studies by start year
Start yearStudiesA test as a primary outcome
200000
200100
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200700
200800
200900
201000
201100
201200
201300
201400
201500
201642
201722
201811
201932
202020
202142
202252
202343
202494
202563
202662

Phases and study sizes

By phase

  • Early phase 11 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 14 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 1/21 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 24 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 2/31 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Phase 45 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Not applicable27 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Observational3 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

Participants per study

102050100
  • Not applicable66 median, 30 to 112
Participants per study. The bar spans the middle half of the studies in each phase, the mark is the median, and the axis is logarithmic. Phases with fewer than 10 studies that give a size are left out.
Show as a table
Participants per study that names the Effort Discounting Task, by phase
PhaseStudies with a sizeMedianMiddle half
Not applicable276630 to 112

When trials measure it

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Effort Discounting Task are measured within a day of the start, and the middle half from the first day to 2 weeks. 21 primary outcomes give a duration.

Latest time point of each outcome

  • Within a day17 outcomes, 12 as a primary outcome
  • Up to 4 weeks13 outcomes, 5 as a primary outcome
  • 1 to 3 months10 outcomes, 3 as a primary outcome
  • 3 to 6 months3 outcomes, 0 as a primary outcome
  • 6 to 12 months1 outcomes, 1 as a primary outcome
  • No duration given2 outcomes, 2 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

44 of the 46 outcome measures give a duration. A single visit counts as within a day.

Status, results, interventions and countries

Status

  • Recruiting16 studies, 7 as a primary outcome
  • Not yet recruiting3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Active, not recruiting3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Completed18 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Status unknown6 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

What they test

  • Behavioral6 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Drug19 studies, 11 as a primary outcome
  • Device10 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Biological1 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Other13 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • None given3 studies, 3 as a primary outcome

Intervention types as registered. A study can list several; observational studies often list none.

Where their sites are

  • United States21 studies, 13 as a primary outcome
  • Germany6 studies, 3 as a primary outcome
  • Canada5 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Netherlands4 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Switzerland2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • United Kingdom2 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • China1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • France1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Hungary1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Israel1 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

10 countries in all. A study with sites in several counts in each; 2 list no site.

Reported results

Completed studies with results posted on ClinicalTrials.gov, a results paper the registry links to the study, or both.

Completed studies that name the Effort Discounting Task: 8 of 18, 44%

Every completed study with a cognitive outcome: 3,626 of 7,953, 46%

Completed studies that name the Effort Discounting Task and every completed study, by how they reported results
ResultsCompleted studies that name the Effort Discounting TaskEvery completed study
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov and a paper1, 6%776, 10%
Results on ClinicalTrials.gov only6, 33%1,139, 14%
A results paper only1, 6%1,711, 22%
Neither10, 56%4,327, 54%

Tests named in the same studies

The library tests that studies naming the Effort Discounting Task name most often beside it.
  1. 1

    Effort for Rewards Task13 studies, 8 as a primary outcome

  2. 2

    Monetary Incentive Delay7 studies, 5 as a primary outcome

  3. 3

    Symbol Coding4 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  4. 4

    Trail Making Test4 studies, 0 as a primary outcome

  5. 5

    Probabilistic Reversal Learning3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  6. 6

    Go/No-Go Task3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  7. 7

    N-Back Task3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  8. 8

    Patch Foraging Task2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome

  9. 9

    Antisaccade Task2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

  10. 10

    Delay Discounting2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

A test as a primary outcomeOnly in secondary or other outcomes

Compared over time

Studies per start year for the Effort Discounting Task and the tests named with it most. Add or remove tests to compare.
Effort Discounting Task46 studies, 2000 to 2026
01002002000201020202026
Effort for Rewards Task61 studies, 2000 to 2026
01002002000201020202026
Monetary Incentive Delay104 studies, 2000 to 2026
01002002000201020202026
Symbol Coding1,448 studies, 2000 to 2026
01002002000201020202026

The panel's testThe other tests chosenEvery panel has the same scale. 2026 is partly planned starts.

Show as a table
Registered studies per start year that name each test
Start yearEffort Discounting TaskEffort for Rewards TaskMonetary Incentive DelaySymbol Coding
20000001
20010002
20020003
20030003
200400211
20050017
20060008
200700014
200800014
200900118
201001128
201100330
201200327
201302535
201401547
201503639
201642372
201724671
201813583
201937894
202024579
2021474116
2022506107
20234611140
20249910134
2025687134
20266412131

Explore the 46 studies

Filter by condition, phase, sponsor, status, country, intervention, outcome list, size and start year. Each study links to its record on ClinicalTrials.gov.
TestThe Effort Discounting Task

46 studies match. 23 name the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome. Median size 60 participants. Median time to the primary outcome: same day.

Loading 46 studies; the filters turn on when they arrive.

By start year
02.557.5102000: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome20002001: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2002: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2003: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2004: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2005: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome20052006: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2007: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2008: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2009: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2010: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome20102011: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2012: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2013: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2014: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2015: 0 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome20152016: 4 studies, 2 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2017: 2 studies, 2 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2018: 1 studies, 1 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2019: 3 studies, 2 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2020: 2 studies, 0 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome20202021: 4 studies, 2 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2022: 5 studies, 2 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2023: 4 studies, 3 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2024: 9 studies, 4 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome2025: 6 studies, 3 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome20252026: 6 studies, 2 naming the Effort Discounting Task in a primary outcome

2026 is partly planned starts.

Show as a table
Matching studies by start year
Start yearStudiesAs a primary outcome
200000
200100
200200
200300
200400
200500
200600
200700
200800
200900
201000
201100
201200
201300
201400
201500
201642
201722
201811
201932
202020
202142
202252
202343
202494
202563
202662

Library tests named most

  • Effort Discounting Task46 studies, 23 as a primary outcome
  • Effort for Rewards Task13 studies, 8 as a primary outcome
  • Monetary Incentive Delay7 studies, 5 as a primary outcome
  • Symbol Coding4 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Trail Making Test4 studies, 0 as a primary outcome
  • Probabilistic Reversal Learning3 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Go/No-Go Task3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • N-Back Task3 studies, 1 as a primary outcome
  • Patch Foraging Task2 studies, 2 as a primary outcome
  • Antisaccade Task2 studies, 1 as a primary outcome

Largest condition groups

Phases

Participants

Lead sponsor: other 46. Interventional 43, observational 3.

As a primary outcomeSecondary or other outcomeThe Effort Discounting Task

The studies, newest registration first

Each number opens the study's record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Registered studies that match the filters, newest registration first, with the library tests each one names and the outcome list that names them.
StudyStartPhaseConditionsParticipantsLead sponsorStatusLibrary tests named, with the latest time point
NCT07771595Start2026PhasePhase 4ConditionsOther conditionsParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Go/No-Go TaskSecondarysame day
  • Affective Go/No-GoSecondarysame day
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondarysame day
NCT07582458Start2026PhasePhase 2/3ConditionsPain and fatigueParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskOther outcome8 weeks
NCT07523048Start2025PhasePhase 2ConditionsDepression and bipolar disorderParticipants30Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary2 weeks
  • Symbol CodingSecondary2 weeks
  • Symbol Scan TaskSecondary2 weeks
  • Implicit Association Test (IAT)Secondary2 weeks
  • Effort for Rewards TaskPrimary2 weeks
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary2 weeks
NCT07476469Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsDepression and bipolar disorder, Healthy volunteers, Anxiety, PTSD and OCDParticipants104Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary3 weeks
  • Four-Armed BanditPrimary1 week
  • Patch Foraging TaskPrimary3 weeks
NCT07438964Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsMultiple sclerosis, Pain and fatigueParticipants84Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary4 days
NCT07427966Start2026PhaseObservationalConditionsDepression and bipolar disorderParticipants600Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Go/No-Go TaskPrimary12 months
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary12 months
  • Patch Foraging TaskPrimary12 months
NCT07387796Start2026PhaseNot applicableConditionsSubstance use and addictionParticipants40Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Dimensional Change Card SortSecondary8 weeks
  • Cue Reactivity TaskPrimary8 weeks
  • Pattern and Letter ComparisonSecondary8 weeks
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary8 weeks
NCT07278388Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsCOVID-19 and long COVID, Pain and fatigueParticipants200Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary
NCT07278206Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsCOVID-19 and long COVIDParticipants66Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary6 months
  • Tower PlanningSecondary2 weeks
  • Simple Reaction TimeSecondary6 months
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary2 weeks
NCT07118956Start2025PhaseNot applicableConditionsParkinson's diseaseParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary2 weeks
NCT06696482Start2025PhasePhase 1/2ConditionsOther conditionsParticipants50Lead sponsorOtherStatusNot yet recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary1 week
NCT06647524Start2025PhasePhase 2ConditionsCognitive impairment and declineParticipants10Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort for Rewards TaskPrimary
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary
NCT06616285Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsHealthy volunteers, Aging, frailty and exerciseParticipants80Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Trail Making TestSecondary6 months
  • Stroop Color-Word TestSecondary6 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary6 months
  • Digit Span TestSecondary6 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary6 months
  • Probabilistic Reversal LearningSecondary6 months
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary6 months
NCT06510985Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsCOVID-19 and long COVID, Pain and fatigueParticipants120Lead sponsorOtherStatusActive, not recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary6 weeks
NCT06387732Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsDepression and bipolar disorderParticipants250Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary14 weeks
NCT06365515Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants90Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimarysame day
NCT06344559Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsHealthy volunteersParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusStatus unknownLibrary tests named
  • Antisaccade TaskPrimarysame day
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimarysame day
NCT06341426Start2024PhasePhase 2ConditionsDepression and bipolar disorderParticipants92Lead sponsorOtherStatusActive, not recruitingLibrary tests named
  • Verbal LearningSecondary6 months
  • Verbal FluencySecondary6 months
  • Symbol CodingSecondary6 months
  • Choice Reaction TimeSecondary6 months
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondary6 months
NCT06222749Start2024PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants100Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimarysame day
NCT06014606Start2021PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants150Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondarysame day
NCT05995496Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants150Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • N-Back TaskSecondarysame day
  • Stop-Signal TaskPrimarysame day
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimarysame day
NCT05929898Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsOther conditionsParticipants190Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Effort for Rewards TaskSecondarysame day
  • Effort Discounting TaskSecondarysame day
NCT05823532Start2024PhasePhase 4ConditionsSchizophrenia and psychosisParticipants60Lead sponsorOtherStatusRecruitingLibrary tests named
  • Monetary Incentive DelayPrimary2 weeks
  • Effort for Rewards TaskPrimary2 weeks
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary2 weeks
NCT05797636Start2023PhaseNot applicableConditionsHealthy volunteersParticipants30Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • N-Back TaskPrimary
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimarysame day
NCT05785429Start2022PhaseNot applicableConditionsObesity and diabetesParticipants59Lead sponsorOtherStatusCompletedLibrary tests named
  • Effort Discounting TaskPrimary12 weeks

Page 1 of 2

Questions, answered from the data

How many clinical trials use the Effort Discounting Task?

46 registered studies on ClinicalTrials.gov name it in an outcome measure, 23 of them in a primary outcome.

In which conditions do trials use the Effort Discounting Task?

Most often in depression and bipolar disorder (15), healthy volunteers (5) and pain and fatigue (4).

Do new trials use the Effort Discounting Task more or less?

0.4% of the studies that started in 2021 to 2025 name it, against 0.3% of those that started in 2016 to 2020: a share 48% larger.

Which tests do trials use with the Effort Discounting Task?

The Effort for Rewards Task (13 studies), Monetary Incentive Delay (7 studies) and Symbol Coding (4 studies).

When do trials measure the Effort Discounting Task?

Half of the primary outcomes that name the Effort Discounting Task are measured within a day of the start, and the middle half from the first day to 2 weeks. 21 primary outcomes give a duration.

How many completed trials that use the Effort Discounting Task have reported results?

8 of the 18 completed studies that name it, 44%, have reported results: 7 posted them on ClinicalTrials.gov, 2 have a results paper linked to the registry record, and 1 did both. The other 10 show neither. Of all completed studies with a cognitive outcome, 46% have reported results.

More on tests in clinical trials

  • Effort Discounting Task: what it measures, its scores, and a version to try
  • All 101 tests in clinical trials
  • Cognitive tests by condition
  • Every registered study, by test, condition, phase and year

How the studies are counted

For each test family, the census runs ClinicalTrials.gov's own outcome search for the family's names and reads every study first posted by the day the family was counted. These studies were read on 10 November 2026. A study counts once on a page, however many tests it names. Counts for a test cover every version of the task under any of its names, so a page can count studies that used a commercial version.

The census adds two things to each record and changes nothing in it: which outcome list names the test (primary, then secondary, then other), and the condition groups, matched on the study's condition names and MeSH terms. A study can fall in several groups; one whose only condition is cognitive impairment or decline falls in “Cognitive impairment and decline”. Studies that name only instruments outside the library count in every total and share but are not listed.

A second read on 10 November 2026 added each study's overall status, whether results are posted, its intervention types, the countries of its sites and the time frame of the outcome that names each test. A time frame counts by the latest time point it names: “Baseline, 12 and 24 weeks” is 24 weeks, a single visit is within a day, and one that names no duration, such as “end of treatment”, is left out of the timings.

A third read on 10 November 2026 added the papers the registry links to each study: those its sponsor lists as reporting results, and those PubMed links to it through the study's NCT number. A study has a results paper when one of them came out in or after the month of its primary completion and PubMed does not class it as a protocol, review or comment. A paper that never gives the NCT number is not linked, so some studies counted as reporting neither did publish.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, which does not endorse these pages. Every study line is in the data release 2.1.0, and the explorer's own file is clinical-trials-studies.json.

Run the Effort Discounting Task in your trial

Choose tests with a record in registered trials, and run them in a browser at every site, on the same version each visit.

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