Physical activity as treatment for adolescents with ADHD

ISRCTN ISRCTN52566984
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN52566984
Submission date
04/03/2020
Registration date
27/04/2020
Last edited
19/06/2023
Recruitment status
Stopped
Overall study status
Stopped
Condition category
Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Physical activity is important for overall health, both physical and mental health. Young people with good health find schoolwork easier according to a growing number of studies. Sufficient daily physical activity improves memory and concentration. One problem today is that many young people do not reach the recommendations for daily activity to maintain good health. The aim of this project is to investigate whether structured and regular physical activity can have a positive effect on adolescents with ADHD and other mental and physical symptoms connected with ADHD.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 13-17 with an ADHD diagnosis in Child- and adolescent psychiatric (CAP) clinics in Västerås and Gävle.

What does the study involve?
All participants will be randomly allocated to one of two treatment options over a 14 week period. Training group: Continuing regular treatment at CAP, adding an exercise program in groups of 10-12 participants 1h/3 times per week. The exercise program will be led by a personal trainer (PT) who provides personalized support. Control group: Regular treatment at CAP.
Measures: at baseline, after 14 weeks, and after 1 year
Symptoms of ADHD, anxiety, depression, quality of life and level of functioning will be assessed through questionnaires to parents and child. Physical parameters will be measured through clinical examination, blood-samples and by wearing accelerometer. Nutrition and dietary habits will be self-registered.
An interview with a sample of participants will be performed after the intervention. This will also include drop-outs from the study.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participation?
The results of this study will contribute to an enhanced knowledge of complimentary treatment options for adolescents with ADHD. Increased physical activity may also be of great value for participating adolescents. The possible risks could be that some participants may find the physical exercise and the blood-sampling uncomfortable. Another possible risk is that a participant who chooses to drop out of the study may conceive this as a personal failure. By using a PT who can provide individualized support, we hope to minimize this risk.

Where is the study run from?
Child- and adolescent psychiatry clinics in Västerås and Gävle, Sweden.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
October 2019 to June 2023

Who is funding the study?
The county of Västmanland, Sweden.

Who is the main contact?
MD PhD Eva Norén Selinus
eva.noren.selinus@regionvastmanland.se

Contact information

Dr Eva Norén Selinus
Scientific

BUP mottagningen
Västmanlands sjukhus
ingång 24
Västerås
721 89
Sweden

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-6104-7836
Phone +46 (0)21-173000
Email eva.noren.selinus@regionvastmanland.se

Study information

Study designRandomized controlled multicenter trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designQualitative content analysis
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Scientific titleThe effect of physical activity as treatment on ADHD symptoms in adolescents with ADHD
Study acronymPA-ADHD
Study objectivesIncreased level of physical acitivity could be protective concerning physical and mental health, and psychosocial outcomes, for adolescents with ADHD.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 24/02/2020, Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten, Box 2110, 75002 Uppsala, Sweden; +46-10-475 08 00; registrator@etikprovning.se), ref: 2019-04827
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
InterventionStructured physical activity in groups led by a personal trainer (PT) consisting of indoor aerobic exercise combined with weight training.
60 minutes, three times a week, 14 weeks.
Randomized according to sex and age by sealed envelope.
Intervention typeBehavioural
Primary outcome measureSymptoms of ADHD, self- and parent-rated and by Swanson, Nolan and Pelham Questionnaire (SNAP-IV) at baseline, after 14-weeks of intervention, and after 1 year
Secondary outcome measuresAt baseline, after 14-week intervention, and after 1 year:
1. Self-ratings of depression (Montgomery Åsberg Depression Rating Scale Self report (MADRS-S))
2. Self-ratings of anxiety (Spence Ångestskala (Spence anxiety scale))
3. Cardiovascular risk factors measured by blood sampling
4. Measures of physical fitness: a submaximal cycle ergometer test (Ekblom-Bak test), Handgrip strength test (hand dynamometer), vertical jump
5. Registration of nutrition and dietary habits: Food registration online provided by The National Food Agency, Sweden.
6. Daily physical activity registered by accelerometer
Overall study start date01/10/2019
Completion date30/06/2023
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)Lack of staff/facilities/resources

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupChild
Lower age limit13 Years
Upper age limit17 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants116
Key inclusion criteria1.Diagnosis of ADHD
2. Patient at child psychiatric section in Västerås or Gävle
3. Age: 13-17 years
4. Stable medication at study-start
Key exclusion criteria1. Suicidality
2. Eating disorder
3. Substance abuse
4. Intellectual impairment
Date of first enrolment01/09/2020
Date of final enrolment01/03/2022

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Sweden

Study participating centres

Child- and adolescent psychiatry in Västerås
Västmanland county hospital
Västerås
721 89
Sweden
Child- and adolescent psychiatry in Gävle
BUP Region Gävleborg
Box 804
Gävle
801 30
Sweden

Sponsor information

Center for Clinical Research, Västerås
Research organisation

Västmanlands Sjukhus
ingång 29
Västerås
721 89
Sweden

Phone +46 (0)21-175867
Email forskning@regionvastmanland.se
Website http://www.medfarm.uu.se/ckfvasteras
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01qh83x04

Funders

Funder type

Government

Landstinget Västmanland

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2024
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination plan1. Publication describing the protocol of the RCT: Fall 2020
2. Publication of results from the feasability study: Spring 2021
3. Publication of results from the RCT: Fall 2023
4. Qualitative study of interviews with participants from RCT: Fall 2022
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for this study are unknown and will be available at a later date

Editorial Notes

19/06/2023: The study was not started, marked as stopped.
30/03/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by Swedish Ethical Review Authority (Etikprövningsmyndigheten)