Tai Chi for ADHD in Children

Age: < 18

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Disqualifiers: Intellectual disability, Autism, Neurologic disorder, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 60 months

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to explore how Tai Chi, a form of gentle exercise and mindful movement, can help children with ADHD improve behavior and focus. Researchers believe that practicing Tai Chi enhances motor skills and reduces ADHD symptoms such as impulsiveness and inattention. The trial is open to children diagnosed with ADHD who have already participated in a related Tai Chi program. It also includes children with additional conditions like anxiety or oppositional defiant disorder, regardless of medication use. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for children to potentially benefit from Tai Chi while contributing to valuable research.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial allows children to continue taking stimulants, psychoactive medications, or no medication, so you won't have to stop your current medications.

What prior data suggests that Tai Chi is safe for children with ADHD?

Research has shown that Tai Chi is generally safe for children with ADHD. A review found few reports of unwanted side effects from Tai Chi. In one study, children who practiced Tai Chi for 12 weeks became less hyperactive and experienced no major safety issues. Another small study also found that Tai Chi helped reduce ADHD symptoms like hyperactivity, again without major safety problems. Overall, Tai Chi appears to be well-tolerated by children with ADHD. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Unlike the standard treatments for ADHD, which often involve medications like stimulants and behavioral therapy, Tai Chi offers a non-pharmaceutical approach that focuses on mindful movement and relaxation. This low-impact exercise may help improve focus and reduce hyperactivity through techniques that promote body awareness and mental calmness. Researchers are excited about Tai Chi because it has the potential to offer a side-effect-free alternative or complement to current therapies, catering especially to those who prefer holistic options.

What evidence suggests that Tai Chi might be an effective treatment for ADHD?

Research has shown that Tai Chi might help improve ADHD symptoms in children. In one study, children who participated in a 12-week Tai Chi program demonstrated clear improvements in hyperactivity. Another small study found that children practicing Tai Chi gained better control over hyperactive and impulsive behavior. Additionally, a mindful movement program, which included Tai Chi, led to significant improvements in school-age children with ADHD. Overall, these findings suggest that Tai Chi could help reduce key symptoms of ADHD, such as hyperactivity and inattention, in children. Participants in this trial will engage in ongoing Tai Chi and mindful movement instruction for 1 hour, twice per week. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Stewart Mostofsky, MD

Principal Investigator

Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for children with ADHD who have previously participated in a Tai Chi feasibility study. They must meet ADHD criteria, can be on stimulants or no medication, and may also have ODD or anxiety disorders. Exclusions include neurological disorders, significant hearing loss, low reading scores or IQ below 80, and certain other diagnoses.

Inclusion Criteria

I am currently taking stimulants, psychoactive medications, or no medication at all.

My child has ADHD and met the criteria in a previous ADHD study.

Comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and anxiety disorders are permitted

Exclusion Criteria

Documented hearing impairment ≥ 25 dB (decibel) loss in either ear

Neurologic disorder (e.g., epilepsy, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, Tourette Syndrome)

A standard score below 85 on the Word Reading Subtest, regardless of IQ score

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Ongoing, continuous Tai Chi and mindful movement instruction, 1 hour, twice per week

60 months

2 visits per week (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

6 months

Data collection every 6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Tai Chi Training

Trial Overview

The trial tests the long-term effects of ongoing Tai Chi training on improving motor control and reducing ADHD symptoms in children. It builds upon previous studies suggesting that mindful movement can enhance behavioral control in kids with ADHD.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Tai Chi Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Ongoing, continuous Tai Chi and mindful movement instruction, 1 hour, twice per week

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger, Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

93

Recruited

25,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) such as Mindfulness, Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong show a small but significant positive effect on reducing symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in individuals with ADHD, based on a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The analysis indicated a moderate improvement in executive function (EF) as well, with effect sizes of g = -0.26 for inattention, g = -0.19 for hyperactivity/impulsivity, and g = -0.35 for EF, suggesting that MBIs can be beneficial for managing ADHD symptoms, although further research is needed to confirm these findings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effect of Meditation-Based Mind-Body Interventions on Symptoms and Executive Function in People With ADHD: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Zhang, Z., Chang, X., Zhang, W., et al.[2023]

A feasibility trial involving 21 undergraduates with ADHD showed a high retention rate of 90% and good data quality, indicating that a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Tai Chi as a non-pharmacological treatment for ADHD is feasible.

The primary outcome measure, self-reported inattention symptoms, demonstrated strong reliability, suggesting that Tai Chi could potentially help improve attention in young adults with ADHD, although further refinements in study design are needed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai Chi training for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A feasibility trial in college students. Converse, AK., Barrett, BP., Chewning, BA., et al.[2021]

This study evaluated the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating ADHD in children, involving 80 participants divided into two groups: one receiving acupuncture and the other on a waitlist for treatment.

The acupuncture group underwent 12 sessions over 6 weeks, with outcomes measured using the Korean ADHD-Rating Scale, aiming to provide evidence for acupuncture as a viable treatment option for ADHD symptoms.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acupuncture for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Hong, SS., Cho, SH.[2021]

Undergraduates with ADHD are more open to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies, indicating a potential for non-pharmacological treatments like tai chi.

About 32% of students with ADHD expressed a strong willingness to participate in a tai chi trial, suggesting that such interventions could be feasible and well-received in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The appeal of tai chi and complementary therapies for college students with ADHD. Sulzer, SH., Trueba, C., Converse, AK.[2023]

A 15-week tai chi training program for healthy young adults showed improvements in self-reported attention, suggesting it may be an effective non-pharmacological alternative for managing ADHD symptoms.

Participants who practiced tai chi experienced reduced reaction time variability, indicating enhanced attention control, while their affective bias improved, suggesting a potential benefit for cognitive function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tai chi training reduces self-report of inattention in healthy young adults. Converse, AK., Ahlers, EO., Travers, BG., et al.[2021]

Tai chi (TC) is generally safe, with no serious adverse events reported in a review of 153 randomized controlled trials, primarily involving older adults, although minor musculoskeletal issues like knee and back pain were noted.

Only 33% of the trials reported adverse events, and just 12% had a clear protocol for monitoring them, indicating that the inconsistent reporting limits our understanding of TC's safety profile.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

What do we really know about the safety of tai chi?: A systematic review of adverse event reports in randomized trials. Wayne, PM., Berkowitz, DL., Litrownik, DE., et al.[2022]

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7573198/

“Tai Chi Training for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A ...

In a study conducted in China, children with ADHD randomly assigned to 12 weeks of Tai Chi training (n=16) showed improvements in hyperactivity ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT02234557

NCT02234557 | Tai Chi Training for Children With ADHD

Hypothesis: After participating in a Tai Chi program, children with ADHD will show improvements in behavioral and physiologic measures of motor control. We ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0965229920318057

Tai Chi training for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

In a small pilot study, four children with ADHD were taught Tai Chi and tended to show improvements in ADHD hyperactive-impulsive symptoms.

4.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3902356/

Tai chi training reduces self-report of inattention in healthy ...

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder inattention indicators decreased in tai chi students, and the improvements in attention correlated with reductions in ...

5.

kennedykrieger.org

kennedykrieger.org/stories/news-and-updates/research-news-releases/study-discovers-children-adhd-showed-reduction-core-adhd-symptoms-following-eight-week-tai-chi-based-mindfulness-training

Study Discovers Children with ADHD Showed Reduction in ...

A mindful movement (Tai-Chi)-based training intervention was associated with significant improvements in school-age children with ADHD.

6.

withpower.com

withpower.com/trial/tai-chi-for-adhd-in-children-775e4

Tai Chi for ADHD in Children · Info for Participants

A systematic review of Tai Chi in various studies found it to be generally safe, with few reports of adverse events (unwanted side effects). While specific data ...