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Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT07029425
Acronym
MT-ADHD
Enrollment
60
Registered
2025-06-19
Start date
2025-10-01
Completion date
2026-06-30
Last updated
2025-06-27

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)

Keywords

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, manual therapy, pediatrics

Brief summary

The main objective is to determine whether Manual Therapy (MT), in addition to conventional treatment, is more effective in improving ADHD symptoms than the application of conventional treatment alone.

Detailed description

Background ADHD is a disorder that affects attention, behavior control, and emotions in children. Although medication and behavioral therapy can help, not all children respond well or may experience side effects, which leads to the search for alternative options. This disorder affects the daily lives of both the child and their family, and in adulthood, it can cause emotional, social, and work-related problems. Treatment usually includes medication, cognitive-behavioral therapy, parent training, and techniques such as mindfulness. A newer option is manual therapy (MT), which uses massage and craniosacral therapy to support the nervous system and improve emotional and behavioral regulation. Although some studies have shown promising results, more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial will be conducted. The minimum sample size required for statistical significance is 60 subjects, divided into two groups with 30 participants each. The primary variable will be hyperactivity and attention deficit, assessed using the Conners Parent Rating Scale and the Conners Teacher Rating Scale. The secondary variable will be mood, measured using a facial expression scale. Objetives To determine whether the addition of manual therapy to conventional treatment is more effective in improving ADHD symptoms than conventional treatment alone.

Interventions

PROCEDUREProcedure: craniosacral therapy techniques.

Participants in the experimental group will receive Manual Therapy (MT) designed for this study, which will include craniosacral therapy techniques. The sessions will last 40 minutes and will be conducted twice a week for the first 4 weeks, followed by once a week for the final 4 weeks.

PROCEDUREPlacebo Group

The placebo group will receive a dummy treatment with a duration of 40min, twice a week for the firt 4 week, follwed by once a week for the final 4 week.

Sponsors

JJ JIMENEZ-REJANO
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
6 Years to 12 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Confirmed ADHD diagnosis according to DSM-5 criteria. * Children and adolescents aged 6 to 12 years. * Availability to attend all Manual Therapy (MT) sessions. * Informed consent signed by legal guardians.

Exclusion criteria

* Severe concomitant psychiatric or neurological disorders (e.g., epilepsy, severe autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia). * Medical conditions that contraindicate MT (e.g., fractures, severe scoliosis, connective tissue diseases). * Recent use of or changes in ADHD medication within the past 4 weeks. * Simultaneous participation in other interventional studies.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Symptoms of ADHD (Parents Rating Scale)At the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).Conners Parents Rating Scale. 48 items 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, and 3 = Very Often. Scores 0-144. Scores greater than or equal to 59 = normal range, Scores 60-64 = mildly elevated symptom severity, Scores 65-69 = moderately elevated severity Scores \> 70 = presence of highly elevated severity.
Symptoms of ADHD (Teacher Rating Scale)At the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).Conners Teacher Rating Scale. 28 items. 0 = Never, 1 = Sometimes, 2 = Often, and 3 = Very Often. Scores 0-84. Scores greater than or equal to 59 = normal range, Scores 60-64 = mildly elevated symptom severity, Scores 65-69 = moderately elevated severity Scores \> 70 = presence of highly elevated severity.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
MoodAt the star of the study (at basilne, 0 week), After the 2nd session (at the end of the first week), after 12th session (at the end of the eight week) and 4 months from the last session (24th week).Facial Expression Scale. It represents expressions from sadness (scored with 1) to happiness (scored with 4).

Countries

Spain

Contacts

Primary ContactPaloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT
paloma.felipe@edu.uah.es+34 672783021
Backup ContactPaloma Felipe-Ballesteros, PT
paloma.felipe@edu.uah.es+34672783021

Outcome results

None listed

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