Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)FAST-ADHDNCT04532190
Finding Alternatives to Standard Treatment for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
A study testing rTMS in people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by University of Calgary at 1 site in Canada.
Trial summary
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by poor attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional-motivational dysregulation. Here, we will test if theta burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 9 to 15 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- What is being tested?
- rTMS
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 30 participants
- Where
- 1 siteCanada
- Study dates
- 1 Mar 2026to 31 Dec 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 9 to 15 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Diagnosis of ADHD
- 9-15 years old
- IQ greater than 80
- English fluency (to enable consent/assent)
- If on medication, must have been on the same type and dosage for at least 3 months.
Who cannot join
- Diagnosis of mania, psychosis, or bipolar disorder
- Impediments to TMS or MRI (i.e. metal implants in body)
- Prior electroconvulsive therapy or vagus nerve stimulation
- Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Canada1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Alberta Children's Hospital
Calgary, Alberta, T3B 6A8
Kara r Murias, MD/PhD, 1 403-441-8411, krmarten@ucalgary.ca
Kara Murias, brainkids@ucalgary.ca
About this study
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by poor attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional-motivational dysregulation. Here, we will test if theta burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can reduce the symptoms of ADHD.
Read the detailed description
Background \& Rationale Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by poor attention, impulsivity, hyperactivity and emotional-motivational dysregulation. It has an estimated prevalence of 5% in children. Usually, ADHD in children is treated with stimulant medications, such as methylphenidate. However, these pharmacotherapy treatments have numerous unwanted side effects, including sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and emotional lability, and do not prove to be effective in every case.
A promising and alternative option for reducing ADHD symptoms is non-invasive brain stimulation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a form of non-invasive brain stimulation which involves the application of a magnetic field to the skull to change the behaviour and function of underlying brain areas. In turn, rTMS leads to positive long-term changes in neurochemical activity, and while studies are limited, some have shown that rTMS can reduce ADHD symptoms in adolescents with ADHD.
Methods Design: Open label TMS trial Primary Outcome: To examine the effect of active rTMS to the right prefrontal cortex on attention as measured by the TEACh-2
Outline:
- Baseline Assessment (MRI Scan, assessment scales, neuropsychological testing)
- rTMS intervention: 5 / week for 4 weeks.
- Post-intervention Assessment (MRI Scan, assessment scales, neuropsychological testing).
- Being tested
- rTMS
- Keywords
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD, Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
- Medical subject headings
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
rTMSDevice
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Active rTMS | Experimental | Active repetitive TMS Receives: Device: rTMS |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
TEACH-2
Test of everyday attention in children - 2. Direct assessment of attention abilities in children.
Measured: Baseline to week 5
Secondary outcomes (2)
SNAP-18
Parent reporting of ADHD symptom severity
Measured: 5 weeks and 52 weeks.
PedsQL
Self reporting of quality of life
Measured: Baseline to week 5
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted31 Aug 2020
- Study start1 Mar 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- Open label
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 30 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Calgary
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Kara Murias, University of Calgary
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT04532190
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- REB20-1415
- Acronym
- FAST-ADHD
- Status last verified
- May 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Aug 2020
- Last updated
- 14 May 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Undecided: If we do make individual participant data (IPD) available to other researchers it will be in keeping with local provincial laws on health information privacy. Data (if available) will be provided upon request.