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

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Adults who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) suffer from significant occupational, academic and social problems, many of which are believed to be a result of problems with executive functioning. Executive functioning refers to a group of neuro-psychological functions which include sustained attention, working memory, verbal fluency, as well as motor and mental processing speed. Individuals with ADHD have been shown to have deficits in executive functioning independent of IQ, co-occurring psychiatric disorders, gender, and ADHD subtype. "Recollect" is an application (App) based working memory training video game where participants conduct 3-different adaptive working memory tasks. In each of these tasks participants are presented with a set of stimuli to be remembered while playing a simple platform game where they help navigate an astronaut across the screen and dodge obstacles. Recollect has been designed for all age groups to an interesting, fun and effective brain-training activity. The memory tasks included in the game have been independently shown to improve working memory in a manner that transfers to untrained tasks. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of playing Recollect versus Tetris for 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week over a 4 week period, on executive functioning deficits in individuals who have Adult ADHD.

Research Team

Michael Van Ameringen, MD, FRCPC

Principal Investigator

McMaster University

Eligibility Criteria

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

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)

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+