ADHD and physical activity. Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
ADHD and physical activity: an exploratory Scottish/Swedish study
IRAS ID
152795
Contact name
Patricia Burns
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 2 days
Research summary
ADHD is a disorder that has symptoms of attention difficulties, hyperactivity, impulsivity or a combination of them. Evidence suggests that exercise may play an important role in helping with ADHD symptoms. Two evidence reviews have concluded that more studies are needed to characterise the short and long terms effects of exercise on the symptoms of ADHD. The activPAL monitoring device has been acknowledged as an accurate way to measure free living physical activity and body related movement in different groups of people, and may be a suitable option for children with ADHD. We wish to design future studies using exercise as an ADHD intervention, and the present study aims to explore whether we can use activity monitoring devices with children with ADHD and gather preliminary data on activity levels. Children aged 7-11 years inclusive with newly diagnosed ADHD will be recruited by community paediatricians in Inverness and in Gothenburg. The control group will be recruited (children without ADHD but who are age and sex matched with the children with ADHD) through a general practice in Inverness and through a school in Gothenburg. The study will include 5 Highland children newly diagnosed with ADHD and 5 children without ADHD at each study site (a total of 20 children). The physical activity of the children will be measured continuously with the activPAL thigh attached monitor, over 8 days, on two occasions 6 weeks apart. This will give data on activity prior to commencing treatment and again once treatment has stabilised (i.e., appropriate dosage of any medication has been finalised). Questionnaires will be used to assess children’s symptoms before activity monitoring begins (baseline) and parents will complete a brief diary during the physical activity monitoring period. Parents will also be asked some feedback questions at the end of the study.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SW/1137
Date of REC Opinion
5 Nov 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion