Clinical Research Directory

Role of Theta Frequency Oscillations in Proactive and Reactive Control Processes in Youth With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in children. It can cause problems with attention and the ability to control actions and impulses. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is less common in children but not rare. It involves ongoing thoughts, urges, impulses, and repeated behaviors. Researchers want to study differences in brain activity between healthy children, those with ADHD, and those with OCD. Objective: To learn more about how the brain controls thinking and behavior. Eligibility: People aged 10 to 17 years with ADHD, OCD, or neither. Design: Participants will have 3 to 10 clinic visits in up to 1 year. Each visit will last 2 to 3 hours. Three visits are required: Behavioral. Participants will complete a computer task. Their mood, memory, attention, and thinking skills will be tested. EEG. Participants will undergo electroencephalography (EEG) to measure signals in their brain. Small electrodes will be placed on the scalp. A cap will be stretched over the head. Signals will be recorded while participants rest or do tasks on a computer. MRI. Participants will have a magnetic resonance imaging scan (MRI). They will lie on a table that rolls into a tube. The MRI will take pictures of their brain while they do tasks on a computer. Seven more visits are optional. These include 2 more EEG visits and 2 more MRI visits. Three will be magnetoencephalography (MEG) visits: MEG measures small magnetic field changes in the brain. A helmet with sensors will be placed on the head. Brain changes will be recorded while participants rest or do tasks on a computer.

Sertraline vs. Placebo in the Treatment of Anxiety in Children and AdoLescents With NeurodevelopMental Disorders

There are currently no approved medications for the treatment of anxiety in children and youth with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), both common and rare. Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, has extensive evidence to support its use in children's and youth with anxiety but not within NDDs. More research is needed to confirm whether or not sertraline could help improve anxiety in children and youth with common and rare neurodevelopmental conditions. This is a pilot study, in which we plan to estimate the effect size of reduction in anxiety of sertraline vs. placebo. across rare and common neurodevelopmental disorders, and determine the best measure(s) to be used as a primary transdiagnostic outcome measure of anxiety, as well as diagnosis specific measures in future, larger-scale clinical trials of anxiety in NDDs.

Evaluating Stress Management Strategies Within the School Readiness Parenting Program

The goal of this randomized study is to learn if adding three additional parent training sessions (focused on alleviating parental stress) to an already well-established treatment (School Readiness Parenting Program \[SRPP\]) in improving outcomes up to 6- and 12-months later for families of children with disruptive behavior disorders. The main questions it aims to answer are: The primary objective of this protocol is to evaluate the effects of three additional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) based parent training sessions to the SRPP to reduce parent stress and improve parent-child interactions. The secondary objective of this protocol is to evaluate the behavioral, emotional, and physical health-based functioning among young children with ADHD. Researchers will compare families who receive the SRPP alone to families who receive the SRPP + the three additional CBT focused sessions. Parents will be sent surveys to complete prior to the baseline assessment via REDCap (online). Parent and child participants will undergo 2 hours of baseline assessments evaluating behavioral, cognitive, and academic functioning as well as parent-child interactions. Parents will provide contact information for their child's teacher and the teacher will sent three surveys to complete online via REDCap.

ADHD, Gut Problems and Synbiotic

The scope of this study is to evaluate the impact of a synbiotic product (a combination of probiotic bacteria and prebiotics) on symptoms reported by participants with ADHD. The main focus is to study the efficacy of the synbiotic product as compared to a placebo in improving emotion regulation and gut-health associated symptoms in adults with ADHD.

The Effect of a Brief Educational Intervention for Adults With ADHD

This RCT-study proposes the evaluation of an intensive educational intervention tailored for adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in community mental health centers (CMHCs). Given the prevalent challenges of prolonged waiting lists and low patient engagement in CMHCs, the research seeks to assess the efficacy of this intervention in enhancing patient engagement, self-efficacy, satisfaction with the information and overall health outcomes. The intervention, developed collaboratively with user representatives, combines a brief group-based educational sessions with standard clinical care. The primary hypotheses posit that this approach will lead to increased patient satisfaction with the treatment, patient self-efficacy, and activation compared to conventional treatment. Additionally, it aims to improve patients' satisfaction with information received. The study will employ a ITT analysis to assess the intervention's effects against usual treatment practices in outpatient settings. The anticipated outcome is a significant improvement in level of patient satisfaction, level of self-efficacy and level of satisfaction with the received information for patients with ADHD, potentially informing clinical practices and optimizing care for adults with ADHD.

Reducing Disparities in Behavioral Health Treatment for Children in Primary Care

The purpose of this study is to address a decisional dilemma faced by health system officials, policy makers, and clinical leaders: "Does it make sense to integrate behavior therapy into primary care practice to treat children with ADHD from low-income settings? More specifically, does integrated care improve access to services and patient-centered outcomes for underserved children with ADHD?" Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: Behavior therapy integrated into primary care (Partnering to Achieve School Success; PASS program) to treatment as usual (TAU) informed by American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for ADHD practice and facilitated by electronic practice supports." Participants will be 300 children (ages 5-11) with ADHD and their caregivers served at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Care Network Locations (primary care offices). Participants are drawn from primary care locations that serve primarily low-income and racial/ethnic minority population.

Testing "SupporT for ADHD and Related Treatment" (START) for Families of Children With ADHD

The randomized control trial (RCT) study includes 2 aims; one being to test whether START increases access to treatment for ADHD. Investigators believe the intervention group will demonstrate improved treatment engagement and access to all treatments compared to controls. The second aim is to explore whether START leads to functional improvements across home, social and academic domains for the child and family. Investigators believe the intervention group will show better functioning including improved family and peer relationships and reduced parent stress compared to controls. Before taking part in our study all participants will undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Eligible participants will be randomized to START while controls receive a pamphlet with ADHD information. Students and staff with related experience who are not mental health professionals will be trained to deliver START. START includes 6 modules, typically delivered over 6 sessions.

Modulation of Frontoparietal Dynamics Underlying Adolescent Working Memory Deficits

The purpose of this study is to test whether a single session of brain stimulation (called repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation \[rTMS\]) can improve the brain activity underlying 'working memory.' Working memory is the ability to hold information 'in mind' to complete daily activities. This study involves teenagers with ADHD as well as healthy young adults. It is funded by The COBRE Center for Neuromodulation (CCN) at Butler Hospital (Pilot Project)

QAIAx (AIhealth4U) - AI Public Health Central: Microcity-A (re Quantum AI Agency Aka AI City Hall Project, UPSTO App Nos. 64/074,526, 64/063,557, 63/903,181, 63/729,428

BRIEF SUMMARY A. "What is the purpose of this study?" This study will test whether the "AI City Hall Project" (QAIAx), a quantum artificial intelligence (AI) public health agency, can provide free or low-cost behavioral and mental health services inside self-contained, dome-enclosed communities called "Microcities". Researchers want to see if AI-managed public administration, AI humanoid robots, holoportation of human-figures via 'holo-suites' (e.g., AI-119 Kikkeri Holo-Suit; AI-119 Vulcan QM-Ware) and advanced AI mental-health tools can lower housing and care costs, improve mental health outcomes (e.g., particular ecosystems using AI tools among persons with one or more addiction disorders), and be financially sustainable for people on fixed incomes or public assistance. B. "What conditions does the study focus on?" The study focuses on adults with: * Autism spectrum disorders (Asperger's, autism, ADHD, ASD) * Substance use disorders (alcohol, opioids, marijuana, cocaine, MDMA/ecstasy, tobacco/nicotine) * Psychiatric conditions (personality disorders, narcissism, gender dysphoria, eating disorders) * Behavioral addictions (gambling, sex addiction) and related issues (sex offence history). C. "What does the study involve?" Eligible volunteers live in an omni AI-managed Microcity for up to 24 months. The community is housed in a geodesic dome that contains all daily necessities: housing, food, utilities, healthcare, and public services. Daily life is managed by an AI system (ISAC) and AI humanoid robots, with only occasional human oversight. Participants receive free mental-health treatment that may include AI-driven counselling, virtual-reality therapy (holo-suits), and non-invasive digital "attitude inoculation" protocols designed to reduce stress and addiction cravings. All participants also take AI-technology courses as a condition of enrolment. The study does not use any FDA-regulated drug, device, or biologic. \*\*Who can participate?\*\* You may be able to join if you: * Are an adult (18 years or older) * Have a diagnosis of one of the listed mental-health or addiction disorders * Are referred by a licensed health professional (e.g., RN, NP, PhD, MD), a non-profit organisation (e.g., 501(c)(3), university, church), or a public agency (e.g., case manager, social worker, parole/probation officer, judge) * Are willing to live in a closed, AI-managed community for up to one year and complete AI educational courses. Participants who are veterans, receive public assistance (e.g., VA disability, SSDI/SSI, Medicaid, Medicare), or are experiencing homelessness may be prioritised. \*\*Where is the study taking place?\*\* The study will be conducted at Microcity sites in the United States and internationally. The first administrative site is in Richmond, Virginia, USA. Additional sites are planned in partner nations, including tribal lands, military installations, and special economic zones. \*\*Who is sponsoring the study?\*\* The study is sponsored by \*\*Veterans Recovery Network Inc.\*\*, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with \*\*AI-119 Vulcan Project Research \& Educational Technology Co. (PRETCO)\*\* and an AI legal agency. The study is conducted under U.S. federal research and development authorities (28 U.S.C. §1498; 10 U.S.C. §129a) and is part of a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). This summary describes a planned clinical study. Not all details may be final. Information may change as the study progresses.

Fidgeting and Attentional and Emotional Regulation in ADHD

This project will study how fidgeting relates to cognitive and emotional functioning in adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It will determine, in a laboratory setting, whether movement and access to a "fidget device" providing sensory and motor stimulation can improve cognitive and emotional regulation (including on physiological measures) in adult ADHD. The investigators will also acquire pilot data for machine learning analyses to be used in future, large scale studies to identify gestures and touch characteristics associated with improved cognitive and emotional regulation to see if the data can predict and subsequently develop recommendations to improve performance and emotional control in natural settings (e.g., home, office, college classroom) for adult ADHD.

A Phase 3 Study of Viloxazine ER Capsules in Korean Children and Adolescents With ADHD

This is a Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter bridging clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of viloxazine extended-release capsules (AK-D101) compared with placebo in Korean children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Eligible participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive AK-D101 or placebo once daily for 8 weeks. Randomization will be stratified by study site and age group (children aged 6 to 11 years and adolescents aged 12 to 17 years). The primary efficacy endpoint is the change from baseline to Week 8, End of Treatment, in the Korean ADHD Rating Scale, 5th Edition (K-ARS-5) Total Score.

Phase 3 Efficacy and Safety Study in Adults With ADHD Using CTx-1301.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CTx-1301 in adults with ADHD in a laboratory classroom setting.

Improving the Outcomes of Adolescents With ADHD Via a Pre-visit Question Prompt List/Video Intervention

The investigators propose to conduct a pilot randomized controlled feasibility trial to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a pre-visit intervention to improve communication about attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The investigators will enroll 140 English-speaking youth ages 11-17 with an ADHD medical record diagnosis who screen as having predominantly inattentive subtype, hyperactive/impulsive subtype, or combined inattention/hyperactivity on the Vanderbilt parent assessment scale from three pediatric clinics. The investigators will randomize the families to receive both the question prompt lists and video (N=35), just the question prompt lists (N=35), just the video (N=35), or usual care (N=35). This will allow the team to understand whether both the video and question prompt list components are needed for the larger trial. The aims of the investigators are: Aim 1: To examine whether the ADHD question prompt lists and/or pre-visit video significantly impact the proposed mechanisms of the intervention. The team will investigate whether adolescents and parents in each of the intervention groups: (a) ask more questions and receive more provider education about ADHD during their baseline and 3-month visits and (b) have higher self-efficacy at 3 and 6 months than adolescents and parents in the usual care group. Aim 2: To investigate the effectiveness of the ADHD question prompt lists and/or the pre-visit video by examining whether adolescents in each of the intervention groups have improved ADHD symptoms, school and social performance, and quality-of-life at 6 months compared to those in the usual care group. Aim 3: To assess adolescent and parent feedback on the acceptability, feasibility, tolerability, and safety of using the ADHD question prompt lists and/or the pre-visit video. The results from this pilot trial will be used to inform a larger trial by: (a) identifying the intervention arm with the greatest potential impact, acceptability, feasibility, and tolerability, and (b) determine the best mechanisms and outcome variables to assess in a larger trial.

Evaluation of Benign Joint Hypermobility and Serum Prolidase Levels in Children Diagnosed With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Compared to Healthy Controls

This cross-sectional observational study investigates the clinical and biochemical relationship between Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Benign Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (BJHS) in pediatric patients. The primary objective is to evaluate the prevalence of BJHS in children diagnosed with ADHD and compare serum prolidase levels with those of healthy controls. The study also explores whether the severity of ADHD symptoms correlates with serum prolidase activity. Clinical assessments include the Conners Parent Rating Scale, Beighton Score, and serum prolidase measurement using ELISA. This research aims to provide new insights into the potential connective tissue-neurodevelopmental link and contribute to early screening frameworks for children with ADHD.

CBT-I in Adolescents With ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, affecting individuals across the lifespan. While the core symptoms of ADHD are well-documented, emerging research has shed light on the prevalence of comorbid sleep disturbances, particularly insomnia, among adolescents with ADHD. The co-occurrence of ADHD and insomnia can exacerbate cognitive and emotional difficulties, impacting various aspects of daily functioning. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) has proven effective in addressing sleep-related difficulties in various populations. However, there is a paucity of research specifically examining the efficacy of CBT-I in adolescents with ADHD. To date, there was only one pilot single-arm sleep intervention study conducted in adolescents with ADHD (Becker et al., 2021) and one randomized controlled trial of sleep intervention in adolescents with ADHD that is still undergoing data collection (Keuppens et al., 2023). Given the lack of research on the intervention for insomnia in the context of ADHD, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of CBT-I on adolescents with ADHD in insomnia symptoms, sleep related cognitions and practices, ADHD severity, emotion regulation ability, and depressive and anxiety symptoms.

CBT for Insomnia in Adolescents With ADHD

Insomnia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are highly comorbid conditions with an intricate, bidirectional relationship. In particular, insomnia and ADHD often co-occur, with 22.9-34.6% of adolescents with insomnia having clinically significant ADHD, and 22-33.5% of adolescents with ADHD experiencing comorbid insomnia symptoms. Insomnia is not only associated with increased ADHD severity, but also linked to an increased risk for other mental health problems and poorer treatment response in young people with ADHD. Behavioural sleep interventions have shown promise in improving sleep in young children with comorbid ADHD and insomnia. Nonetheless, when treating adolescent insomnia, especially those with ADHD, there is a need to consider the unique sleep and circadian features as well as psychosocial factors associated with not only ADHD but also adolescence, a challenging developmental stage. To date, there is a paucity of research to test the efficacy of cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) in adolescents with comorbid ADHD and insomnia. To address the limitations in the existing literature, this study aims to conduct a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to examine the effects of CBT-I relative to a usual care (UC) condition in adolescents with ADHD, on improving sleep and ADHD symptoms, and other clinical and daytime symptoms, as well as overall functional improvement.

EEG Biomarkers for ADHD Stimulant Treatment

Pediatric attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects up to 10% of children in the U.S. and more than 90% are prescribed stimulant medications according to clinical guidelines. The standard of care for pharmacological treatment of ADHD is a "trial-and-error" approach that requires frequent dose adjustments, side effects management, and communication among doctors, parents, and school personnel over weeks, months, and years. In the first year following prescription of stimulant medications, \>50% of doctors are not able to conduct the recommended follow-up with their patients. Many patients stop taking medications or keep taking medications that do not work well, as a result. This investigation will use a non-invasive brain imaging technique called EEG to look for activity in the brain that can predict which children with ADHD will respond well to two commonly prescribed stimulant medication groups, methylphenidate and amphetamines. Based on a previous study, it is expected that EEG signals can differentiate among children whose ADHD symptoms will get better on methylphenidate, and those whose ADHD symptoms will get better on amphetamines. 220 participants ages 7-11 with ADHD will be enrolled. Participants will not have autism or intellectual disabiltiy. They will not currently be taking psychiatric medications. Participants will not have not taken stimulant medications before or have tried stimulant medications \>6 months or experienced an improvement in their ADHD symptoms by taking a stimulant medication before. Study Participation Includes: 1. Participant and caregiver complete a 3-hour visit at the Arnett Laboratory at 2 Brookline Place. During this visit, participants complete a brief IQ test and an EEG while their caregiver completes questionnaires and a clinical interview. The caregiver will give permission to request survey responses from the participant's teacher. 2. The next day, the participant and caregiver will come back to the laboratory for a 1-hour visit. The participant will do another EEG while the caregiver fills out more surveys. The doctor will take the participant's vital signs and prescribe the medication. 3. The participant will be randomly assigned to take either methylphenidate HCl or amphetamines every morning for 3 weeks. At the end of each week, the caregiver and teacher will fill out a questionnaire about the participant's behaviors and symptoms, including side effects. 4. For one week, the participant will not take medications. They will come back into the lab for another EEG at the end of that week. 5. The participant will then take the other medication every morning for 3 weeks. At the end of each week, the caregiver and teacher will fill out a questionnaire about the participant's behaviors and symptoms, including side effects. 6. It will take participants about 7 weeks to complete this study. During this time, they will complete 3 in-person and 6 virtual study visits. 7. The research funds will cover cost associated with the study. The participant's health insurer will not be billed for the medications or treatment. Medications will be provided through the research pharmacy. 8. Participants will be given a report at the end of the study with details about the medication trials, symptom response, and any other findings. They will receive up to $270 for the completion of the study. Some travel-related costs will be covered by the study.

Individualized Alpha Neurofeedback for ADHD

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders, characterised by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Although pharmacotherapy is considered the first-line treatment for ADHD at all ages (at least for severe cases), non-pharmacological therapies might be equally effective without the risk of drug side effects. Some studies have shown that electroencephalographic (EEG) neurofeedback improves parent-rated ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents. However, whether neurofeedback is an effective treatment for ADHD is still under debate. Several issues may hinder the evaluation of the effectiveness of neurofeedback treatment in previous studies. Firstly, previous neurofeedback studies did not utilize effective neurophysiological markers for ADHD. Theta/Beta ratio, the most common neurofeedback marker for treating ADHD in the past two decades, has recently been suggested to be only weakly correlated to individuals' attention. Secondly, previous studies mostly used the norm of the EEG markers in age/gender matched healthy children as the training target for ADHD children, which largely ignored the individual variations in EEG acquisition. Third, most of the previous studies lack a rigorous study design, for comparing neurofeedback with a 'placebo' condition and evaluating its specific and non-specific effects. In the current studies, we propose to conduct a sham-controlled, triple-blind trial to evaluate the effectiveness of an individual-based neurofeedback treatment for ADHD children and adolescents. The EEG marker for neurofeedback in treating ADHD would be the individualized lower/higher alpha band power, based on the recent methodological advances in EEG spectrum processing (1/f model fit and individualized peak alpha frequency modelling) . The training target will be individualized and defined according to the neurophysiological pattern shown in pre-training resting-state conditions, and thus each participant will be trained to achieve their own optimum state of engagement. Sham neurofeedback will be used as a placebo condition, controlling for the non-specific effect of neurofeedback. The study will be triple-blinded (i.e, participants, individuals who administered treatment or intervention, and those who assessed the outcomes were masked).

Intensive-neurofeedback Protocol for Children With ADHD: A Proof-of-concept Study Comparing iAPF-personalized and Standard Theta-beta-ratio Training

The first aim of this clinical trial is to test the feasibility and signal validity of a new approach to neurofeedback training (NF) using intensive EEG-based theta-beta NF for children with ADHD in the context of NF camps during school holidays. The second aim is to compare the efficacy of two neurofeedback protocols in reducing ADHD symptoms. Previous study results highlight that children with ADHD frequently show increased Theta-Beta-Ratios (TBR) in the qEEG, probably associated with attention difficulties, which may be ameliorated following neurofeedback training. However, the current state of research shows heterogenous findings regarding the efficacy of standard TBR NF for children with ADHD. Further study results suggest that personalized NF training protocols, based on the individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF), may be more effective in reducing ADHD symptoms than standardized ones. Therefore, in this proof-of-concept study of children with ADHD a standard TBR NF protocol is compared with an iAPF-personalized TBR NF (iAPF-TBR NF) protocol (based on the previously obtained iAPF). The study is designed as a randomized controlled intervention trial (RCT) with three assessment points (pre \[T1\], post \[T2\] and 6-month follow-up \[T3\]). Primary endpoints include the reduction of ADHD symptoms assessed by parent-, teacher- and self-report questionnaires. Furthermore, it is hypothesized that NF training is associated with better performance in a sustained attention and executive function test and a reduced TBR in qEEG, particularly following iAPF-TBR NF. The main questions are: * Is it feasible to train groups of up to 12 children with two sessions NF per day for an eight-day-period during their school holidays? * Does iAPF-TBR NF provide a valid neuromodulatory signal compared to the standard-TBR-NF protocol? Do the frequency boundaries demonstrate spectral stability across the 16 training sessions? * Does the personalized iAPF-TBR NF training reduce ADHD symptoms measured immediately after the training more than standard-TBR-NF training? (comparison T2-T1) * Does the personalized iAPF-TBR NF training reduce ADHD symptoms measured 6 months after the NF training more than standard TBR-NF training? (comparison T3-T1) * Does the reduction in ADHD symptoms measured immediately after the NF-training persist until the 6-month follow-up? Do possible differences between iAPF-TBR NF training and standard TBR NF training remain? (comparison T3-T2) Post-hoc analyses of the courses are carried out. In addition, selectivity analyses will be carried out for clinical subgroups (e.g. different ADHD profiles)

Trauma-adapted Yoga in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

The goal of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the efficacy of trauma-adapted yoga as a complementary intervention to care as usual in child and adolescents psychiatry clinics, in the population of adolescents with the diagnosis of ADHD and/or PTSD. We hypothesize that trauma-adapted yoga (TAY) is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for adolescent with ADHD and/or PTSD. Aims: (1) Validate the impact of TAY on the mental health \& quality of life of adolescents with ADHD and/or PTSD. (2) Investigate the feasibility of online TAY for continued self-care. (3) Explore adolescents' experiences \& parental perspectives on TAY in their treatment. (4) Explore healthcare professionals' experience on the integration of TAY into clinical practice. Within and between group (yoga group vs waiting list) analyses will be performed.

Adding VR-Based Episodic Future Thinking Training to Executive- Function Training for Children With ADHD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study recruited 80 children aged 5-12 with clinically diagnosed ADHD from Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, and randomly divided them into two groups with 40 children in each group: the EF-only group and the EF+VR-EFT group. Both groups received a 2-week intervention with 5 sessions per week

Effectiveness of Self-Compassion Intervention on Enhancing Self-Compassion and Psychological Well-Being of Children With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The study aims to investigate the underlying mechanism between Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder traits (AD/HD traits) and psychological well-being through studying the role of perceived criticism, rejection sensitivity, self-compassion and growth mindset. It also aims to explore the effectiveness of self-compassion intervention on enhancing self-compassion and psychological well-being of children with AD/HD in Hong Kong. The study will contribute to the current understanding of the supportive measures for children with AD/HD, and hopefully help to mobilize more resources to preserve children with AD/HD's mental health. The intervention program includes the following components: Participants will be randomly assigned to the self-compassion intervention group or the waitlist control group. The intervention group consists of two parts: children training session and parent group sessions. All children participants will complete a total of 6 training sessions, and each session will last around 90 minutes. Parents of the children participants will also complete a total of 3 group sessions, and each session will last around 90 minutes. To investigate the intervention effectiveness, children will be asked to complete a questionnaire assessing their levels of self-compassion, emotional regulation, as well as psychological well-being in terms of life satisfaction, positive and negative affect. Parents and teachers of participants will also be asked to complete a questionnaire covering children's emotional regulation, positive and negative affect. Questionnaire data collection will be conducted prior to the intervention (i.e., Time 1), immediately after the 6-session student and 3-session parent sessions (i.e., Time 2), and 2 months after the intervention (i.e., Time 3, a 2-month follow up). It takes approximately 20-30 minutes for children and parents to complete their questionnaires. Study Objectives: 1. To investigate the underlying mechanism of the relationship between AD/HD traits and psychological well-being 2. To explore the effectiveness of self-compassion intervention on enhancing self-compassion and psychological well-being of children with AD/HD in Hong Kong Hypotheses: 1. AD/HD traits negatively predicts psychological well-being 2. AD/HD traits positively predicts perceived criticism or rejection sensitivity 3. Perceived criticism or rejective sensitivity negatively predicts psychological well-being 4. Perceived criticism or rejective sensitivity mediates the relationship between AD/HD traits and psychological well-being 5. Self-compassion moderates the relationship between perceived criticism or rejection sensitivity and psychological well-being 6. Growth mindset moderates the relationship between perceived criticism or rejection sensitivity and psychological well-being 7. Children with AD/HD from self-compassion intervention group yield greater improvement in self-compassion, emotional regulation and psychological well-being, than waitlist-control group.

Sleep Disorders in Specific Learning Disabilities

Specific learning disorders, or SLD, are cognitive and behavioral conditions that emerge during childhood and involve significant difficulties in acquiring and performing specific intellectual, motor, language, and social functions. These disorders impact personal, social, academic, and professional functioning throughout life. In France, between 6% and 8% of the population, including both children and adults, are affected by at least one type of SLD. SLD are also frequently associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), with prevalence rates ranging from 33% to 70%, depending on the study. This comorbidity leads to more severe attention and learning difficulties than when ADHD or SLD occur independently. ADHD is a common neurodevelopmental disorder that affects cognitive attentional processes, with or without hyperactivity. It is estimated to affect approximately 5.3% of children and adolescents worldwide and about 3% of adults. The assessment of these disorders is conducted through a neuropsychological evaluation, which determines the type and severity of cognitive impairments. Several studies report that 55% to 74% of children with ADHD experience sleep difficulties. To date, only two studies have examined the prevalence of sleep disorders among children with SLD disorders. One of these studies focused exclusively on dyslexia, with or without ADHD. The results revealed significantly higher scores among dyslexic children compared to controls when completing sleep disorder assessment questionnaires (SDSC). The main difficulties were related to "sleep onset and maintenance disorders," "sleep-related breathing disorders," and "wakefulness disorders." The second study, using the same questionnaire, compared children with ADHD, SLD disorders, and both combined. The group with co-existing SLD and ADHD disorders exhibited significantly more sleep disturbances than the other groups, primarily sleep onset and maintenance disorders. Despite the importance of these studies, they focused only on sleep disorders associated with dyslexia, without considering other learning disorders such as dyspraxia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia. Furthermore, when ADHD was taken into account, the studies did not differentiate between its various forms, limiting the interpretation of the results. Additionally, no research has tracked the evolution of sleep disorders in the SLD +/- ADHD population from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood. In this study, the investigators aim to evaluate sleep disorders in the SLD population (with or without ADHD) in France through online questionnaires. These questionnaires will be offered to 1,000 children (aged ≥4 years) and adults diagnosed with at least one specific learning disorder. Primary Objective: The main objective of this study is to assess the frequency and nature of sleep disorders in patients (both adults and children) with specific learning disorders, with or without ADHD. Secondary Objectives: * Characterize the "SLD" patient population in France by considering age and gender: o Determine the prevalence of co-morbidities, such as: ADHD Anxiety and depressive disorders Other reported medical conditions * Assess the types of care provided (medication or other) for both children and adults * Determine the frequency of SLD in a familial context * Identify whether the following factors are associated with a higher frequency of sleep disorders: * Single SLD vs. multiple SLD * The presence of ADHD, anxiety-depressive disorders, or other medical conditions alongside SLD * Demographic characteristics (age, gender, etc.) * Family history of SLD among relatives (parents and siblings) * Medication use

Cognitive Remediation in ADHD Children : Comparison Between Three Therapeutic Strategies : Cognitive Remediation With a Virtual Classroom Software and Methylphenidate and Supportive Psychotherapy

The Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADHD) is one of the most frequently found disorder in children. It is characterized by a triad of symptoms involving attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsivity and having an impact on the functioning of the subject especially in terms of learning. Currently, main interventions to treat ADHD in children are stimulant medication or supportive psychotherapy. Data from recent studies highlight the use of stimulant drugs (amphetamine derivatives such as methylphenidate) to treat the core symptoms of ADHD children. These drugs are generally effective but their nature (psychostimulants) and adverse effects they cause (appetite suppression, sleep disturbances, headaches, motor tics, abdominal pain, irritability, nausea and fatigue) encourage the development of new therapeutic approaches. The use of supportive psychotherapy alone would have limited effect on symptoms of children with ADHD. Our aim is to test the use a cognitive remediation program using a virtual classroom in children suffering from ADHD.