Binaural Beats Stimulation for Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (BBS-ADHD)

California State University, San Bernardino

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Treatments: Behavioral: Music-Based Binaural Beats Stimulation; Behavioral: Music Listening Without Binaural Beats

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07793045

IRB-FY2026-171

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study is conducted entirely in person at California State University, San Bernardino. Participation requires 12 campus visits over six weeks. Remote participation is not available, and travel expenses are not reimbursed. Participants who complete all study visits will receive a gift valued at $25.

This study will evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of a six-week, music-based binaural beats stimulation program in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Forty adults with ADHD will be randomly assigned to either a binaural beat stimulation group or a control group. Both groups will attend 12 supervised listening sessions over six weeks and listen to similar music for 20 minutes per session; however, only the intervention group's music will contain embedded binaural beats. Cognitive assessments will be completed before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in attention and memory. Session attendance and participant retention will also be examined to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program.

Full description

This randomized controlled study will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a six-week, music-based binaural beats stimulation (BBS) intervention in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The study aims to enroll 40 adults between 18 and 55 years of age with a previous ADHD diagnosis. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the BBS intervention group or the control group, with approximately 20 participants in each group.

During the first study visit, participants will provide informed consent and complete demographic and mental health questionnaires. ADHD symptoms will be assessed using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. Participants will also complete baseline cognitive assessments using the CogniFit Research platform. The assessment battery will evaluate cognitive abilities related to attention, memory, coordination, and reasoning.

Participants will then attend 12 supervised listening sessions over six weeks, with two sessions conducted each week. Each listening session will include 20 minutes of music delivered through headphones. Participants assigned to the intervention group will listen to music containing embedded binaural beats, while participants assigned to the control group will listen to similar music without binaural beats. Before each listening session, participants will rest quietly for five minutes, after which heart rate and blood pressure will be measured and readiness to participate will be assessed.

After the six-week intervention, participants will complete the same cognitive assessment battery administered at baseline. Changes in cognitive outcomes from baseline to six weeks will be compared between the intervention and control groups. Session attendance and participant retention will also be evaluated as indicators of intervention feasibility and acceptability.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 55 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Adults aged 18 to 55 years
2. Previous diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) made by a qualified healthcare professional and supported by the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale, version 1.1 (ASRS-v1.1)
3. Willing to wear headphones during the listening sessions
4. Able and willing to attend 12 listening sessions at the CSUSB campus conducted twice weekly over six weeks -

Exclusion criteria

1. Anticipated absence from the study area for more than seven days during the two-month study period
2. Uncorrectable hearing impairment that would prevent adequate delivery of music through headphones
3. Acute psychiatric condition, such as depression
4. Intellectual or developmental disability that could interfere with study participation
5. Acute medical condition resulting in sensory impairment
6. Initiation of, or a change in dosage of, stimulant, antipsychotic, or analgesic medication within the previous month
7. Anticipated change in stimulant, antipsychotic, or analgesic medication during the study period

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Binaural Beats Stimulation (BBS)

Experimental group

Description:

Participants receive music containing embedded binaural beats.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Music-Based Binaural Beats Stimulation

Music Control

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Participants receive similar music without embedded binaural beats.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Music Listening Without Binaural Beats