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NCT Number: NCT02688959

Motor Attention Training for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

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

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Key information

Age range

18 year–23 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Waisman Center

Madison, Wisconsin, 53705, United States

Location status: Recruiting

Location contact

Alexander K Converse, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

608 265 6604

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

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

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable or unwilling to participate in the interventions

Treatment and study plan

Tai Chi

Behavioral

Exercise

Behavioral

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in symptoms of inattention

    Time frame: 8 weeks

    Inattentive Symptoms subscale of the Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale self-report long form (CAARS-S:L). The total range of scores is 0-27 with higher scores indicating more severe symptom levels.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Feasibility of implementing wireless Electroencephalogram(EEG) to measure the theta beta ratio during performance of tai chi.

    Time frame: up to 90 minute

    Feasibility of implementing wireless EEG will be assessed by the quality of EEG data. Acceptable data should have satisfactory signal to noise characteristics. Satisfactory signal to noise ratio will be evaluated by the variance within individual across trials of the ratio of occipital alpha power between the eyes closed and eyes open conditions. Feasibility will be judged by the criterion that the coefficient of variance (CV = s.d./mean) be less than 1/3.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Alexander K Converse, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

608 265 6604

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Wisconsin, Madison

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Feasibility/Pilot Trial of a Motor Attention Training Intervention for College Students With ADHD

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2028
Study completion
2028
First posted
Feb 23, 2016
Registry last updated
Jun 1, 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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