Video Game Therapy for ADHD

Overseen By Jasmine Turna, PhD(c)

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: McMaster University

Disqualifiers: No smartphone, Dose changes, New therapy

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a video game called Recollect might improve focus and memory skills in adults with ADHD. Participants will play either Recollect or Tetris for 20 minutes a day, five days a week, over four weeks. The researchers aim to determine if Recollect can help reduce attention and memory problems common in individuals with ADHD. This trial suits adults diagnosed with ADHD who have a smartphone or tablet and are not altering their ADHD treatment during the study. As an unphased trial, it offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance daily life for those with ADHD.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

You don't have to stop taking your current medications, but your medication dose must be stable for 4 weeks before and during the study.

What prior data suggests that this video game therapy is safe for adults with ADHD?

Research shows that video games like Recollect are being considered as potential treatments for ADHD. Recollect aims to improve working memory, a common challenge for individuals with ADHD. Although specific studies on Recollect are not yet available, insights can be drawn from similar video game treatments.

For example, the FDA has approved another video game therapy, EndeavorRx, for children with ADHD. This approval indicates that video game therapies can be safe and effective. However, since Recollect targets adults, research on its effects in this group remains in the early stages.

Regarding safety, video games like Recollect are generally well-tolerated and lack the side effects associated with medications. Players might experience eye strain or tiredness, but no serious issues have been reported.

Overall, while Recollect is still under study, its design as a video game suggests it should be safe to try, especially when compared to traditional medications. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Recollect is unique because it uses a video game format to enhance working memory through specific tasks like N-Back, Item Span, and Multiple-Identity tracking. Unlike traditional ADHD treatments, which often involve medication like stimulants or behavioral therapy, Recollect offers a non-pharmacological approach that could appeal to those looking to avoid medication side effects. Researchers are excited about its potential to improve cognitive functions that transfer to real-life skills, offering a novel way to address ADHD symptoms beyond standard methods.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for ADHD?

Research shows that playing video games can help manage ADHD symptoms. Studies have found that game-based therapies improve focus and reduce impulsive behavior. Games with tasks to boost memory can also enhance mental skills beyond the game itself. In this trial, participants may receive Recollect, designed with tasks proven to improve memory and thinking skills. These improvements are important for helping adults with ADHD handle everyday challenges better. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Michael Van Ameringen, MD, FRCPC

Principal Investigator

McMaster University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adults with ADHD who have stable medication or therapy, can read and understand English, and own a mobile device. It's not for those without a smartphone/tablet or those changing medications/starting new therapies during the study.

Inclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with Adult ADHD.

I am 18 or older and own a Smartphone or tablet.

My medication or psychotherapy dose has been the same for the last 4 weeks.

Exclusion Criteria

I will not start new psychological therapy or counseling in the next 4 weeks.

Participant does not own a Smartphone or tablet

No dose changes during the 4 week study period

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

1 visit (in-person)

Training/Orientation

Participants receive training on how to use the Recollect or Tetris app

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants play Recollect or Tetris for 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week over a 4 week period

4 weeks

App-based activity

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in executive functioning and ADHD symptoms

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Recollect
• Tetris

Trial Overview The study tests 'Recollect,' an app-based game designed to improve working memory by navigating tasks while playing. Participants will play Recollect or Tetris for 20 minutes daily over four weeks to see if it helps their executive functioning.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Recollect Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Recollect is a video game which incorporates scientifically supported renditions of N-Back, Item Span, and Multiple-Identity tracking tasks. These tasks are independently shown to improve working memory in a manner that transfers to untrained tasks.

Group II: Tetris Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Tetris is a video game which has not been shown to have any benefits in the improvement of executive functioning.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

McMaster University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

936

Recruited

2,630,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8931195/

The Use of Mobile Games in the Management of Patients With ... Video games have been previously shown in reviews to be effective in both the diagnosis and treatment of ADHD and other mental health disorders (7, 8). One of ...

2. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36862162/

Effects of game-based digital therapeutics on attention ... Game-based DTx improved hyperactivity/impulsivity than the control upon assessment by assessors (SMD 0.28, 95% CI 0.03-0.53; SMD 0.30, 95% CI ...

3. link.springer.com link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10796-023-10457-8

Serious Games for the Treatment of Children with ADHD The game-based approach is considered an ideal tool for developing learning systems for young people with ADHD (Luman et al., 2005) for several ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2414-4088/9/1/8

Managing ADHD Symptoms in Children Through the Use ... In summary, serious games can serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for children with ADHD and offer them a great deal of hope. This report categorizes the ...

5. corporate.dukehealth.org corporate.dukehealth.org/news/study-suggests-digital-treatment-through-video-game-could-improve-attention-adhd

Study Suggests Digital Treatment Through a Video Game ... An initial analysis shows that children who received the treatment performed better on an attention test after four weeks compared to children ...

6. endeavorrx.com endeavorrx.com/

EndeavorRx® - ADHD Video Game Treatment for Kids | FDA ... EndeavorRx®, the First-and-Only FDA-authorized video game treatment for kids with ADHD. It is Clinically proven to improve ADHD related impairments.

7. accessdata.fda.gov accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/reviews/DEN200026.pdf

DEN200026 summary - accessdata.fda.gov Table 3 identifies the risks to health that may be associated with digital therapy device for Attention. Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and the measures ...

8. withpower.com withpower.com/clinical-trials/for-adhd?new=true&page=3

Top Adhd Clinical Trials | Power Power is an online platform that helps thousands of Adhd patients discover FDA-reviewed trials every day. Every trial we feature meets safety and ethical ...

9. dcri.org dcri.org/news/dcri-studies-lead-greater-knowledge-about-video-gaming-adhd-treatment

DCRI Studies Lead To Greater Knowledge about Video ... “FDA approval for this device means that we now can expand treatment options for a large group of patients who experience attention deficits,” ...