Attention Training in ADHD
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The efficacy of a brief attention training technique on improving behaviour and attention in children with ADHD.
IRAS ID
163562
Contact name
Jemma Hill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 16 days
Research summary
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition in which children show difficulties in concentrating and over-activity in their behaviour. It is one of the most common difficulties seen in child and adolescent mental health services.
Current treatments for ADHD include medication and parent training. These treatments are not helpful for everyone however so other treatments are needed. As children with this disorder have been shown to suffer difficulties with attention, treatments that improve task focusing (focused attention) have been more recently studied with promising results. Treatment has typically taken between 12 and 15 weeks.
This study aims to investigate a treatment called the Attention Training Technique that approaches attention from a different perspective. This perspective assumes children with ADHD are not missing attention skills or need them retraining. Instead they may be less aware of the control they have over attention, thus the treatment aims to increase this awareness. Children who have a diagnosis of ADHD, are between the ages of 7 and 11 years old and are not receiving any other treatment (other than medication) may take part. First a study will take place with 3 participants where they will be given the treatment and assessed on a number of measures to see if there is any improvement in symptoms. If effective, the study will then randomly allocate 17 children to receive treatment and compare these with 17 who do not receive it. Children in both groups will be compared on measures of attention, behaviour and other areas of thinking.
We can use the findings to help understand more about treatments that may help children with ADHD. This is a quick treatment that could be used easily within services and may offer an alternative choice to medication.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0326
Date of REC Opinion
12 May 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion