Investigating the effects of cardio and non-cardio exercise on adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Investigating the effects of cardio and non-cardio exercise on adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a randomized controlled trial

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN39271564

Enrollment

136

Registered

2020-05-11

Start date

2019-09-16

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2023-09-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Mental and Behavioural Disorders Disturbance of activity and attention

Interventions

Participants will first complete a brief online screening survey (<15 minutes). As part of the survey, participants will answer seven questions to determine their fitness to participate. If fit to par

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Adults aged 18-35 years 2. Fit enough to undertake cardio or non-cardio exercise for 12 minutes 3. Free from any physical, neurological or psychiatric conditions (besides Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for the patient groups) and learning disorders/disabilities Participants will fall into one of the following categories in order to be eligible for the study: 1. No current or previous diagnosis of ADHD 2. Current diagnosis of ADHD but not currently receiving any drug treatment for the condition (and have not done so for 6 months) 3. Current diagnosis of ADHD and currently receiving psychostimulant drug treatment for the condition.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosis of a psychiatric or neurological disorder 2. Learning disability 3. Currently pregnant or breastfeeding 4. Medication adherence 140/90mmHg on the day of the lab visit

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Attention measured using the computerised Test of Variable of Attention (TOVA) task (omission errors, accuracy, reaction time) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 2. Motor impulsivity measured using the computerised Test of Variable of Attention (TOVA) task (commission errors) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 3. Temporal impulsivity measured using the computerised Delay Discounting Task (indifference point, discounting function) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 4. Cognitive impulsivity measured using the computerised Iowa Gambling Task (proportion of risky decisions) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 5. Hyperactivity measured through actiography (movement in non-dominant wrist) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required	—

Measure

Time frame

1. Attention measured using the computerised Test of Variable of Attention (TOVA) task (omission errors, accuracy, reaction time) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 2. Motor impulsivity measured using the computerised Test of Variable of Attention (TOVA) task (commission errors) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 3. Temporal impulsivity measured using the computerised Delay Discounting Task (indifference point, discounting function) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 4. Cognitive impulsivity measured using the computerised Iowa Gambling Task (proportion of risky decisions) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required 5. Hyperactivity measured through actiography (movement in non-dominant wrist) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required

—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Associative reward learning measured using a computerised Pavlovian conditioning task during eye tracking (reaction time, gaze position) before exercise and after exercise during the single two-hour testing session required	—

Countries

England, United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026