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OpenTrials
Active, Not Recruiting

NCT Number: NCT05308706

Efficacy of the Apollo System for Children With ADHD

To determine the extent to which the Apollo System is effective in reducing symptomatology associated with ADHD.

Active, Not Recruiting

This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

Key information

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders Behavior Inhibition, Psychological Mental Disorders Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Age range

8 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Department of Kinesiology

East Lansing, Michigan, 48824, United States

About this study

The objective of this project is to understand the potential therapeutic benefits of the Apollo System for children with ADHD. Using vibrational therapy, the Apollo System has been previously demonstrated to promote greater balance of the autonomic nervous system. Given the importance of the autonomic nervous system for modulating levels of physiological arousal and in-turn governing aspects of attention and self-regulation; a therapeutic approach to promote better balance of this system may be particularly beneficial for populations such as children with ADHD. Accordingly, using a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled design this investigation will assess the extent to which the Apollo System is effective in reducing symptomatology associated with ADHD.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

All individuals that agreed to participate will be selected on a first come, first serve basis. No individual will be turned down due to sex, race, or ethnicity. The following inclusion criteria exist for all participants:

  • Participants must be 8 years of age or older and under the age of 18.
  • Participants must have diagnosed or suspected Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
  • Participants must have one of the following: 1) on the same treatment plan for over a year with minimal symptom relieve or alleviation, 2) tried two or more treatment approaches but is unable to meet treatment goals, 3) taking medication but still has symptoms, or 4) unwanted or uncontrollable side effects related to the medication.
  • Participants must have normal or corrected-to-normal vision in order to complete the cognitive task.

Exclusion criteria

The following exclusion criteria exist for all participants:

  • Lack of consent.
  • Participants cannot have started a new treatment within the last 30 days.
  • Participants cannot have a history of hydrocephalus, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Schizophrenia, Conduct disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, active substance abuse, or be on a beta blocker.
  • Participants cannot have previously used the Apollo System.

Treatment and study plan

8 weeks of home based use.

Device

Use of the devices for an 8 week study period. Devices are preset to follow a scheduled activation pattern during the day.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in ADHD symptomatology as assessed using the ADHD-5 Rating Scale

    Time frame: Prior to and following the 8 week study protocol period.

    At pre and posttest, the parents/guardians of participants will complete the ADHD-5 Rating Scale. The behaviors included in the survey are derived from the diagnostic criteria for ADHD established in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition. Scores are summated into inattentive and hyperactive-impulsive symptom domains and transformed into symptom percentile scores based upon normative data based on age and biological sex. Change in the overall ADHD percentile will be considered as the primary outcome. A more negative change would indicate a better outcome reflective of reduction in ADHD related symptomatology.

  2. Effect Size for Change in Behavioral Index of Interference Control

    Time frame: Prior to and following the 8 week study protocol period.

    At pre and posttest, participants will complete a version of the Eriksen flanker task. Response accuracy will be quantified within each congruency as the proportion of correct responses relative to the number of trials administered. The effect size of the change from pre-to-posttest in overall response accuracy will be considered as the primary outcome.

    Effect sizes will be computed per Arm and do not reflect comparisons or combinations across Arms/Groups using the repeated measures variance correction for Cohen's d (Lakens, 2013).

  3. Effect Size for Change in Behavioral Index of Response Inhibition

    Time frame: Prior to and following the 8 week study protocol period.

    At pre and posttest, participants will complete a version of the go/nogo task. Response accuracy will be quantified as the proportion of correct responses relative to the number of trials administered for target stimulus trails and nogo stimulus trials separately. The effect size of the change from pre-to-posttest for response accuracy to the nogo condition will be considered as the primary outcome.

    Effect sizes will be computed per Arm and do not reflect comparisons or combinations across Arms/Groups using the repeated measures variance correction for Cohen's d (Lakens, 2013).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Michigan State University

Other

Collaborators

  • The Board of Medicine

Registry information

Official study title

Double-blind Randomized Placebo-controlled Trial of the Efficacy of the Apollo System for Children With ADHD

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Apr 4, 2022
Registry last updated
Apr 20, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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