NCT01363544

Brief Summary

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a developmental disorder that has a severe impact on a child's life and society. The core symptoms are attention problems, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These symptoms are related to disruptions in neurocognitive functions (such as inhibition: the ability to stop behavior) and disruptions in cortical regulation (such as 'cortical underarousal' as measured with the electroencephalogram). To date, the only evidence-based treatment is pharmacological. Medication is not effective in 20-30% of the children with ADHD and it can have side effects. The lack of alternatives for medication is a severe problem for these children and society. Neurofeedback is becoming increasingly popular for treating ADHD. Neurofeedback is a training in which a person learns to alter its cortical regulation. Neurofeedback has been classified as 'probably effective' but its treatment effects need further empirical evidence. Non specific training effects, such as individual attention, may also contribute to treatment success. In this research project the investigators compare the efficacy of neurofeedback with exercise, a second non-pharmacological treatment, that may be comparable with neurofeedback in terms of non-specific effects. Exercise is also a promising treatment because of its positive effects on behavior, neurocognition in several patient groups. For these reasons, exercise deserves systematic research in ADHD. Furthermore, the investigators compare the efficacy of these two treatments with an optimal pharmacological treatment with methylphenidate (MPH). The main question is if neurofeedback and exercise are comparable in efficacy with MPH for treating ADHD. The primary outcome measure is behaviour (symptoms of ADHD). Secondary outcome measures include neurocognition and cortical regulation. This research project will give answer to the question if neurofeedback and exercise are as effective as MPH. Furthermore, it will give insight in how these interventions will give rise to improvements in behavior.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
112

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for phase_2

Timeline
Completed

Started Jun 2010

Typical duration for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

6 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

June 1, 2010

Completed
12 months until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 20, 2011

Completed
12 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

June 1, 2011

Completed
3.6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

January 1, 2015

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

January 1, 2015

Completed
Last Updated

December 9, 2015

Status Verified

December 1, 2015

Enrollment Period

4.6 years

First QC Date

May 20, 2011

Last Update Submit

December 8, 2015

Conditions

Keywords

ADHDneurofeedbackexerciseneurophysiology

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Improvement in Behaviour

    Behaviour is assessed with rating scales (SWAN, SDQ, SDSC,DCD) and actigraphy

    Within 2 weeks after the end of treatment (T1) and 6 months after the end of treatment (T2)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Improvement in neurocognition

    Within 2 weeks after the end of treatment (T1) and 6 months after the end of treatment (T2)

  • Improvement in neurophysiology

    Within 2 weeks after the end of treatment (T1) and 6 months after the end of treatment (T2)

Study Arms (3)

Neurofeedback

EXPERIMENTAL
Other: Neurofeedback

Exercise

EXPERIMENTAL
Behavioral: Exercise

methylphenidate

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

optimum dose of methylphenidate (assessed by a double blind placebo-controlled procedure)

Drug: methylphenidate

Interventions

30 sessions of theta/beta neurofeedback within 10 weeks.

Also known as: biofeedback
Neurofeedback
ExerciseBEHAVIORAL

30 sessions of individual sports training during 10 weeks.

Also known as: sports
Exercise

The medication treatment is based on the MTA study and includes methylphenidate dosages of 5, 10, 15 (only for children with a weight below 25 kg) and 20 mg (only for children with a weight above 25 kg. The optimum dose will be determined by a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Also known as: Not applicable, a generic form will be used.
methylphenidate

Eligibility Criteria

Age7 Years - 13 Years
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsChild (0-17)

You may qualify if:

  • ADHD diagnosis
  • IQ above 80

You may not qualify if:

  • neurological disorder
  • severe physical or cognitive disability

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (6)

GGZ InGeest

Amsterdam, North Holland, 1070BB Amsterdam, Netherlands

Location

Albert Schweitzer Ziekenhuis

Dordrecht, South Holland, 3300AK, Netherlands

Location

Yulius voor Geestelijke Gezondheid

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3014HH, Netherlands

Location

Stichting alles Kits

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3059 XA, Netherlands

Location

Maasstad Ziekenhuis

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3075EA, Netherlands

Location

Lucertis

Rotterdam, South Holland, 3083BD, Netherlands

Location

Related Publications (6)

  • Janssen TWP, Gelade K, Bink M, van Mourik R, Twisk JWR, Maras A, Oosterlaan J. Long-term effects of theta/beta neurofeedback on EEG power spectra in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Clin Neurophysiol. 2020 Jun;131(6):1332-1341. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.02.020. Epub 2020 Mar 12.

  • Gelade K, Janssen TWP, Bink M, Twisk JWR, van Mourik R, Maras A, Oosterlaan J. A 6-month follow-up of an RCT on behavioral and neurocognitive effects of neurofeedback in children with ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2018 May;27(5):581-593. doi: 10.1007/s00787-017-1072-1. Epub 2017 Nov 2.

  • Janssen TWP, Bink M, Weeda WD, Gelade K, van Mourik R, Maras A, Oosterlaan J. Learning curves of theta/beta neurofeedback in children with ADHD. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2017 May;26(5):573-582. doi: 10.1007/s00787-016-0920-8. Epub 2016 Nov 19.

  • Gelade K, Janssen TW, Bink M, van Mourik R, Maras A, Oosterlaan J. Behavioral Effects of Neurofeedback Compared to Stimulants and Physical Activity in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Psychiatry. 2016 Oct;77(10):e1270-e1277. doi: 10.4088/JCP.15m10149.

  • Janssen TW, Bink M, Gelade K, van Mourik R, Maras A, Oosterlaan J. A Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Effects of Neurofeedback, Methylphenidate, and Physical Activity on Event-Related Potentials in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 2016 May;26(4):344-53. doi: 10.1089/cap.2015.0144. Epub 2016 Jan 15.

  • Janssen TW, Bink M, Gelade K, van Mourik R, Maras A, Oosterlaan J. A randomized controlled trial into the effects of neurofeedback, methylphenidate, and physical activity on EEG power spectra in children with ADHD. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2016 May;57(5):633-44. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12517. Epub 2016 Jan 8.

Related Links

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with HyperactivityMotor Activity

Interventions

NeurofeedbackBiofeedback, PsychologyExerciseMethylphenidate

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior DisordersNeurodevelopmental DisordersMental DisordersBehavior

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mind-Body TherapiesComplementary TherapiesTherapeuticsBehavior TherapyPsychotherapyBehavioral Disciplines and ActivitiesFeedback, PsychologicalMotor ActivityMovementMusculoskeletal Physiological PhenomenaMusculoskeletal and Neural Physiological PhenomenaPhenylacetatesAcids, CarbocyclicCarboxylic AcidsOrganic ChemicalsPiperidinesHeterocyclic Compounds, 1-RingHeterocyclic Compounds

Study Officials

  • Rosa van Mourik, PhD

    VU University, faculty of psychology and education, department of clinical neuropsychology

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
  • Jaap Oosterlaan, Professor

    VU University, Faculty of Psychology and Education, department of clinical neuropsychology

    STUDY DIRECTOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
NONE
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Dr

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 20, 2011

First Posted

June 1, 2011

Study Start

June 1, 2010

Primary Completion

January 1, 2015

Study Completion

January 1, 2015

Last Updated

December 9, 2015

Record last verified: 2015-12

Locations