Effectiveness of Manual Therapy in the Treatment of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
MT-ADHD
1 other identifier
interventional
60
1 country
1
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.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Oct 2025
Shorter than P25 for not_applicable
1 active site
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
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
June 11, 2025
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 19, 2025
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
October 1, 2025
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
May 1, 2026
CompletedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
June 30, 2026
ExpectedJune 27, 2025
June 1, 2025
7 months
June 11, 2025
June 24, 2025
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (2)
Symptoms of ADHD (Parents Rating Scale)
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.
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).
Symptoms of ADHD (Teacher Rating Scale)
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.
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).
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Mood
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).
Study Arms (2)
Experimental: craniosacral therapy techniques.
EXPERIMENTALExperimental: 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.
Control: placebo comparator.
PLACEBO COMPARATORSham Comparator: 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.
Interventions
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.
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.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- 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.
You may not qualify if:
- 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.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Grupo de Investigación Área de Fisioterapia CTS 305 - Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain 41009
Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, 28804, Spain
Related Publications (20)
Chan SKC, Zhang D, Bogels SM, Chan CS, Lai KYC, Lo HHM, Yip BHK, Lau ENS, Gao TT, Wong SYS. Effects of a mindfulness-based intervention (MYmind) for children with ADHD and their parents: protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2018 Nov 12;8(11):e022514. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-022514.
PMID: 30420347BACKGROUNDAccorsi A, Lucci C, Di Mattia L, Granchelli C, Barlafante G, Fini F, Pizzolorusso G, Cerritelli F, Pincherle M. Effect of osteopathic manipulative therapy in the attentive performance of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2014 May;114(5):374-81. doi: 10.7556/jaoa.2014.074.
PMID: 24778002BACKGROUNDDanckaerts M, Sonuga-Barke EJ, Banaschewski T, Buitelaar J, Dopfner M, Hollis C, Santosh P, Rothenberger A, Sergeant J, Steinhausen HC, Taylor E, Zuddas A, Coghill D. The quality of life of children with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2010 Feb;19(2):83-105. doi: 10.1007/s00787-009-0046-3. Epub 2009 Jul 26.
PMID: 19633992BACKGROUNDCrouzet L, Gramond A, Suehs C, Fabbro-Peray P, Abbar M, Lopez-Castroman J. Third-generation cognitive behavioral therapy versus treatment-as-usual for attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder: a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2022 Jan 28;23(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s13063-021-05983-2.
PMID: 35090544BACKGROUNDBellato A, Arora I, Hollis C, Groom MJ. Is autonomic nervous system function atypical in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? A systematic review of the evidence. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Jan;108:182-206. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.11.001. Epub 2019 Nov 10.
PMID: 31722229BACKGROUNDPolanczyk G, de Lima MS, Horta BL, Biederman J, Rohde LA. The worldwide prevalence of ADHD: a systematic review and metaregression analysis. Am J Psychiatry. 2007 Jun;164(6):942-8. doi: 10.1176/ajp.2007.164.6.942.
PMID: 17541055BACKGROUNDRobertz AC, Tornhage CJ, Nilsson S, Nyman V, Kantzer AK. Positive effects of tactile massage for adolescents with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) - A small scale study. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2024 Nov;57:101909. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2024.101909. Epub 2024 Sep 25.
PMID: 39332064BACKGROUNDMusser ED, Backs RW, Schmitt CF, Ablow JC, Measelle JR, Nigg JT. Emotion regulation via the autonomic nervous system in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2011 Aug;39(6):841-52. doi: 10.1007/s10802-011-9499-1.
PMID: 21394506BACKGROUNDDuric NS, Assmus J, Gundersen D, Duric Golos A, Elgen IB. Multimodal treatment in children and adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a 6-month follow-up. Nord J Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;71(5):386-394. doi: 10.1080/08039488.2017.1305446. Epub 2017 Mar 27.
PMID: 28345387BACKGROUNDSteinau S. Diagnostic Criteria in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - Changes in DSM 5. Front Psychiatry. 2013 May 30;4:49. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2013.00049. eCollection 2013. No abstract available.
PMID: 23755024BACKGROUNDPumprla J, Howorka K, Groves D, Chester M, Nolan J. Functional assessment of heart rate variability: physiological basis and practical applications. Int J Cardiol. 2002 Jul;84(1):1-14. doi: 10.1016/s0167-5273(02)00057-8.
PMID: 12104056BACKGROUNDRechberger V, Biberschick M, Porthun J. Effectiveness of an osteopathic treatment on the autonomic nervous system: a systematic review of the literature. Eur J Med Res. 2019 Oct 25;24(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s40001-019-0394-5.
PMID: 31653268BACKGROUNDMizuno Y, Cai W, Supekar K, Makita K, Takiguchi S, Tomoda A, Menon V. Methylphenidate remediates aberrant brain network dynamics in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial. Neuroimage. 2022 Aug 15;257:119332. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2022.119332. Epub 2022 May 28.
PMID: 35640787BACKGROUNDHaugan AJ, Sund AM, Young S, Thomsen PH, Lydersen S, Novik TS. Cognitive behavioural group therapy as addition to psychoeducation and pharmacological treatment for adolescents with ADHD symptoms and related impairments: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2022 Jun 2;22(1):375. doi: 10.1186/s12888-022-04019-6.
PMID: 35655149BACKGROUNDCai W, Mizuno Y, Tomoda A, Menon V. Bayesian dynamical system analysis of the effects of methylphenidate in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a randomized trial. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2023 Oct;48(11):1690-1698. doi: 10.1038/s41386-023-01668-3. Epub 2023 Jul 25.
PMID: 37491674BACKGROUNDCade A, Jones K, Holt K, Penkar AM, Haavik H. The Effects of Spinal Manipulation on Oculomotor Control in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Pilot and Feasibility Study. Brain Sci. 2021 Aug 6;11(8):1047. doi: 10.3390/brainsci11081047.
PMID: 34439666BACKGROUNDBayo-Tallon V, Esquirol-Caussa J, Pamias-Massana M, Planells-Keller K, Palao-Vidal DJ. Effects of manual cranial therapy on heart rate variability in children without associated disorders: Translation to clinical practice. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2019 Aug;36:125-141. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.06.008. Epub 2019 Jul 2.
PMID: 31383430BACKGROUNDLeBaron S, Zeltzer L. Assessment of acute pain and anxiety in children and adolescents by self-reports, observer reports, and a behavior checklist. J Consult Clin Psychol. 1984 Oct;52(5):729-38. doi: 10.1037//0022-006x.52.5.729. No abstract available.
PMID: 6501658BACKGROUNDPan MR, Dong M, Zhang SY, Liu L, Li HM, Wang YF, Qian QJ. One-year follow-up of the effectiveness and mediators of cognitive behavioural therapy among adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: secondary outcomes of a randomised controlled trial. BMC Psychiatry. 2024 Mar 16;24(1):207. doi: 10.1186/s12888-024-05673-8.
PMID: 38491411BACKGROUNDZhu C. Effects of Musicotherapy Combined with Cognitive Behavioral Intervention on the Cognitive Ability of Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Psychiatr Danub. 2022 Summer;34(2):288-295. doi: 10.24869/psyd.2022.288.
PMID: 35772139BACKGROUND
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- SINGLE
- Who Masked
- OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- SPONSOR INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Director
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
June 11, 2025
First Posted
June 19, 2025
Study Start
October 1, 2025
Primary Completion
May 1, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
June 30, 2026
Last Updated
June 27, 2025
Record last verified: 2025-06