Motor Attention Training for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

University of Wisconsin (UW)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Treatments: Behavioral: Exercise; Behavioral: Tai Chi

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT02688959

VCRGE\WAISMAN CENTER\WAISMAN (Other Identifier)

2015-0807

A348700 (Other Identifier)

Protocol version 15 July 2024 (Other Identifier)

Details and patient eligibility

About

The investigators will perform a feasibility/pilot trial of two non-pharmacological interventions for ADHD in college students.

Full description

College students diagnosed with ADHD will be randomized to three arms of approximately 8 weeks duration: (1) standard care plus a tai chi class, (2) standard care plus an exercise class, and (3) standard care alone. The exercise class will control for the social and motor components of tai chi training. The investigators will determine methodological parameters relevant to a subsequent full scale trial including recruitment and retention rates, acceptance of randomization, adherence to the interventions, and variance in outcome measures. The primary clinical outcome measure of this pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be pre- to post-intervention change in inattention, i.e. the Inattentive Symptoms subscale of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale self-report long form (CAARS-S:L, see Interviews etc. "Converse_S_L"). Secondary measures to be explored will include self- and informant-report, neurocognitive measures, psychophysiological measures, and academic performance. Practice time will be assessed daily and follow-up self-report of ADHD symptoms will be gathered monthly for 3 months beyond the end of the intervention.

Enrollment: 145 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 23 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• University of Wisconsin-Madison enrolled undergraduate
• Documented ADHD diagnosis

Exclusion criteria

• Unable or unwilling to participate in the interventions

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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145 participants in 3 patient groups

Tai Chi

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm will attend 50-minute classes 2 times per week for 8 weeks. The course will emphasize experiential learning with 2 weeks of introductory sessions on gait, posture, and tai chi principles followed by instruction in the 24-form Yang style sequence. Students will be given a video to aid learning outside of class, and maintenance of practice post-intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Tai Chi

Exercise

Active Comparator group

Description:

Participants in the exercise arm will attend 50-minute classes 2 times per week for 8 weeks. The course will emphasize cardio-aerobic fitness training. Students will be given a video to aid practice outside of class, and maintenance of practice post-intervention.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Exercise

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Participants in the control arm will not attend a class and not be given a video.