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An Intervention Study on Transcranial Photobiomodulation in Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

An Intervention Study on Transcranial Photobiomodulation for Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Status
Recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06685601
Enrollment
60
Registered
2024-11-12
Start date
2024-12-16
Completion date
2027-05-31
Last updated
2025-07-22

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

Conditions

ADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With Hyperactivity

Keywords

tPBM, ADHD

Brief summary

This study aims to intervene in children and adolescents with ADHD using transcranial photobiomodulation, comparing its effects on executive function at the levels of electroencephalography (EEG), eye tracking, and cognitive behavior. The goal is to identify the most effective clinical treatment strategy for ADHD patients.

Detailed description

This study is conducted as a randomized triple-blind trial to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation therapy on ADHD. Initially, standardized assessment tools (physician ratings and parent self-reports) are employed to evaluate baseline clinical symptoms in ADHD patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The experiment utilizes a within-subject design (within-subject factors: active versus sham stimulation), with each participant randomly assigned to receive two interventions-one active and one sham stimulation-administered in a counterbalanced order, with at least a one-week interval between the two sessions. Immediately following the intervention, standardized assessment tools are used to evaluate multidimensional clinical symptoms, and data related to executive function, including cognitive behavioral data, electroencephalographic data, and eye-tracking data, are collected. The intervention is carried out by trained technicians in accordance with the randomization results, while maintaining blinding for both clinical evaluators and participants.

Interventions

DEVICEtPBM(active)

During the active stimulation condition, participants will receive a single session of tPBM intervention, lasting 12 minutes.

DEVICEtPBM(sham)

During the sham stimulation condition, participants will receive the same intervention with identical target areas and wavelength, but only for the first and last 30 seconds of the session.

Sponsors

Capital Medical University
CollaboratorOTHER
Peking Union Medical College
CollaboratorOTHER
Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
CollaboratorOTHER
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Age between 6 and 18 years; 2. Clinically diagnosed with ADHD by a psychiatrist; 3. Confirmed by the researcher (child psychiatrist) to meet the diagnostic criteria for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder as outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5); 4. M.I.N.I. KID interview shows only ADHD, with no other comorbidities; 5. Able to cooperate with transcranial photobiomodulation. 6. The participant and their guardian fully understand the study procedures and content and agree to participate in the study, signing the informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

1. Diagnosis of other severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder; 2. Presence of severe physical diseases or conditions, such as significant intracranial lesions, thyroid disorders, epilepsy, congenital heart disease, severe hematologic disorders, systemic lupus erythematosus, auditory or visual impairments, etc.; 3. Presence of significant structural brain abnormalities on imaging studies; 4. Presence of severe neurological diseases with a clear family history or potential risk; 5. Presence of metal implants or a pacemaker, or holes or fractures in the skull; 6. Currently undergoing other ADHD treatments (e.g., methylphenidate or other pharmacological treatments, behavioral therapy, etc.) or has discontinued such treatments for less than 2 weeks; 7. Raven's Progressive Matrices IQ score \< 85.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
EEG(Electroencephalogram)From enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeksThe Electroencephalogram was recorded while participants performed a continuous attention task. The Negative 2-Posterior Contralateral(N2pc) waveform was analyzed, and a comparison of the N2pc waveforms following true and false stimuli was made to assess the improvement of attention in participants induced by transcranial light biofeedback.
Executive Function TaskFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeksParticipants completed an executive function task following active and sham stimuli to compare the effects of transcranial Photobiomodulation on the improvement of executive function in children with ADHD.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Version IVFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeksParticipants completed the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham Version IV (SNAP-IV) scale following active and sham stimuli to compare the effects of transcranial light biofeedback on the improvement of attention and hyperactivity-impulsivity symptoms in children with ADHD.
Sleep Disturbances Scale for ChildrenFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeksParticipants completed the Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC) scale following active and sham stimuli to compare the effects of transcranial Photobiomodulation on the improvement of sleep symptoms in children with ADHD.
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive FunctionFrom enrollment to the end of treatment at 3 weeksParticipants completed the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) scale following active and sham stimuli to compare the effects of transcranial Photobiomodulation on the improvement of attention control, emotional regulation, and behavioral inhibition in children with ADHD.

Countries

China

Contacts

Primary ContactAihua Cao, Post-doctoral
xinercah@163.com18560086317

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026