Tailored Yoga Therapy for Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

NCT07541820 | Active Not Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: HR-25/26-53625
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 20
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will explore the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of a group-based tailored yoga programme designed for adults experiencing symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The yoga intervention will be compared to an active control (group-based functional movement classes).

Conditions

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms; Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Keywords

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder; Yoga; Therapy; Feasibility; Treatment

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Feasibility outcomes.

  The investigators will monitor recruitment, engagement and completion rates to assess feasibility, and will obtain qualitative participant feedback at the end of the intervention.

  From enrolment to the 3-month follow-up.

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Exploratory assessment of self-reported change in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

  From enrolment to the 3-month follow-up.

Other Outcomes (5)

• Changes in self-reported general health symptoms.

  From enrolment to the 3-month follow-up.

• Laboratory-based assessments to test changes in autonomic arousal.

  Baseline to post-intervention.

• Laboratory-based assessments to test changes in executive functioning attention.

  Baseline to post-intervention.

Study Arms (2)

Tailored yoga

EXPERIMENTAL

A 6-week group-based yoga programme designed for people experiencing attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms.

Behavioral: Tailored yoga therapy.

Functional movement

OTHER

Participants will receive an active control of functional movement.

Behavioral: Functional movement.

Interventions

Tailored yoga therapy. BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this arm will participate in a six-week study. They will attend one hour-long group-based in-person session per week, as well as practising from home at least twice weekly following along an online video (which will be a practice of what was learnt in-person that week). Each group yoga session will start with some Pranayama (yogic breathwork) to engage participants' attention and to help them focus. The intervention will progress from purely activating yogic breathwork techniques, to some calming and grounding techniques to aid relaxation, bodily awareness and to reduce stress. Sessions will also involve some faster movements to align the body with typically faster mental activities as seen within individuals with ADHD. Some sessions may progress to include some mindful somatic movements and some longer held poses to enhance relaxation and tension release. Towards the end of the intervention there will be longer opportunities for mindful awareness through meditation.

Tailored yoga

Functional movement. BEHAVIORAL

Participants in this arm will similarly participate in a six-week study. They will attend one hour-long group-based in-person session per week, as well as practising from home at least twice weekly following along an online video (which will be a practice of what was learnt in-person that week). The functional movement control sessions will serve as an exercise class, with educational aspects. All sessions will follow a similar structure of light strength exercises, mobility exercises and end with some flexibility exercises. This control condition was selected to control for the physical aspects the yoga intervention, allowing us to isolate the possible benefits of yoga due to breathwork and mindfulness.

Functional movement

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Are aged 18 or older.
• Score above the clinical cut-off threshold on the Adult Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale.
• Are fluent in English.
• Have normal or corrected eyesight.

You may not qualify if:

• Major physical health disorders or disabilities that may affect participation (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, significant mobility challenges).
• Major mental health disorders that may affect participation (e.g., active psychosis, severe alcohol/substance use disorder).
• Current recipient of any other mind-body therapy for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
• Current participation in a regular yoga activity.
• Current pregnancy.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• King's College London: lead

Study Sites (1)

King's College London

London, United Kingdom

Location

Related Publications (21)

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Related Links

• ADHD UK Charity, used for accessing data on diagnoses in the UK.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Mental Disorders

Study Officials

• Susannah Pick, PhD

  King's College London

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

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

Model Details: Feasibility randomised controlled trial.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 27, 2026
• First Posted: April 21, 2026
• Study Start: February 23, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 30, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 31, 2026
• Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-02

Locations

GB (1)