The Effectiveness of Aerobic Exercise in the Treatment of Adults With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Status: Unknown status
• Trial end date: 2018-12-01
• Target enrollment: 0
• Participant gender: All

Summary

The purpose of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured aerobic exercise intervention for adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with and without medication and compare it to medication alone. Participants will be randomly assigned to medication only + education, aerobic exercise intervention only, and combined aerobic exercise and medication groups. Participants will be evaluated at baseline, following medication optimization (for medicated groups), following 8 weeks of intervention, after 3 months of follow-up, and after 6 months of follow-up. The investigators hypothesize that the combined group will have the best outcome at all evaluation points and that treatment gains will be maintained throughout the follow-up period if the assigned treatments are continued.

• Phase: N/A
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers?: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Details

• Lead Sponsor: McGill University Health Center; McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
• Treatments: Adderall; Amphetamine; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride; Dextroamphetamine; Guanfacine; Methylphenidate

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - Fifth Edition (DSM-5) criteria for adult ADHD of any of three presentations (inattentive, hyperactive impulsive, combined) via Conners Adult ADHD Diagnostic Interview for the DSM-5 (CAARD-D) and clinician's assessment;

2. Barkley Childhood and Current Symptom of ADHD (1998) completed by self and informants (parents or siblings for childhood symptoms, spouses or co-workers for current symptoms). Required cut off on these scales are scores 1.5 Standard Deviation above relevant gender and age norms;

3. Conners Adult ADHD Rating Scale (1999) completed by self and informants, such as spouses or co-workers for current ADHD symptoms. Required cut off on these scales are scores 1.5 Standard Deviation above relevant gender and age norms;

4. Between 18 and 60 years old

5. Be able to give informed consent and comply with study procedures;

6. I.Q. of 85 or above on Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Third Edition (WAIS-III) by three verbal and three nonverbal subtests

7. Adequate command of English to be able to participate in the group treatment.

8. Written permission from a family physician to participate in aerobic exercise and no contra-indications for stimulant medication.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Psychotic symptoms, past or current;

2. Current psychiatric comorbidity, which needs ongoing medication treatment e.g. bipolar disorder, major depression, suicidality, anxiety, current substance use disorder (must be free of substance abuse for 12 months);

3. Medical condition that preclude use of the stimulant medication, e.g. hypertension, cardiac disease, Tourette syndrome, etc.

4. Organic mental disorders or other significant neurological disorders, e.g. epilepsy, head injury, chorea, multiple sclerosis.

5. Pregnant or breastfeeding women.

6. Patients currently involved in intensive aerobic exercise, two hours per week or more.

7. Patients who are currently effectively treated for ADHD.