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Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity DisorderNCT05374187

Efficacy of Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for ADHD

A study testing Active eTNS in people with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 2 sites in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
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Trial summary

This study is a large multisite randomized clinical trial to asses the efficacy of external trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), a novel, minimal risk, non-invasive neuromodulation treatment, for ADHD in children ages 7-12 years old (N=180). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 7 to 12 years
Conditions the study is for
Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
What is being tested?
Active eTNS
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
218 participants
Where
2 sitesUnited States
Study dates
1 Sep 2022to 10 Apr 2026
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

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 7 to 12 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Child

Who may be able to join

  • male and female children ages 7 to 12 years with DSM-5 ADHD, any current presentation, as determined by diagnostic interview, Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (KSADS), and clinical interview;
  • total score >= 24 on baseline ADHD-RS;
  • CGI-S score at baseline >= 4;
  • no current medication with CNS effects (Participants previously on psychostimulant medication will be required to be not optimally treated and off medication for one week or 5 half-lives for all other medications); stable use of supplements will be permitted;
  • parents able and willing to monitor proper use of the stimulation device and complete all required rating scales;
  • estimated Full Scale IQ >= 80 based on WASI subtests;
  • parent and participant able to complete rating scales and other measures in English;
  • able to cooperate during EEG

Who cannot join

  • impaired functioning to a degree that requires immediate initiation of ADHD medication in the opinion of the parents and/or investigator;
  • current diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or major depression;
  • history of lifetime psychosis, mania, or seizure disorder;
  • baseline suicidality;
  • history of seizure disorder or head injury with loss of consciousness

Trial locations and contacts

2 sites in 1 country.

United States2 sites
  • University of California, Los Angeles

    Los Angeles, California, 90095

  • Seattle Children's Hospital

    Seattle, Washington, 98105

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Efficacy of External Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of ADHD

This study is a large multisite randomized clinical trial to asses the efficacy of external trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS), a novel, minimal risk, non-invasive neuromodulation treatment, for ADHD in children ages 7-12 years old (N=180).

Study hypotheses address potential differences in ADHD symptoms over 4 weeks treatment with active vs. sham TNS in an expanded multi-site investigation; whether resting state fronto-parietal connectivity mediates TNS impact on ADHD symptoms; if changes in fronto-parietal activation, as measured by electroencephalography (EEG), predict TNS-related treatment outcomes; and whether a baseline cognitive profile similarly predicts response to TNS therapy.

Read the detailed description

Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation (TNS), an FDA-approved, non-invasive minimal risk intervention approved for treatment of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), administers a low amount of electrical stimulus to the forehead during sleep and is shown to increase activity in brain regions associated with attention and impulse control.

The current study seeks to replicate previous efficacy and safety findings of TNS in a larger, multisite group of ADHD-diagnosed youth, ages 7-12. The study will be conducted at UCLA and Seattle Children's Hospital.

The study comprises 3 phases, with subsequent 12-month follow-up for participants who demonstrate positive response to active therapy. We will screen up to 280 participants to yield an overall study N=225 completers meeting Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 (DSM-5) ADHD criteria across the two sites.

Phase 1 is a 4-week double-blind, controlled trial of active vs. sham TNS. Once inclusion/exclusion criteria are assessed, eligible participants have an initial baseline assessment comprised of behavioral ratings, cognitive assessments, and electroencephalography (EEG), and are subsequently randomized 2:1 to active vs. sham treatment. Participants will begin use of TNS as directed each night during sleep for 4 weeks. Participants, families, and most of the study team will remain blind to treatment assignment. Weekly behavioral rating will be obtained from parents, teacher, and clinical investigators. EEG, along with other cognitive measures, will be repeated at week 4.

In Phase 2, participants initially randomized to sham will receive active TNS for an additional 4 weeks, with continued weekly assessments. Phase 3 entails brief naturalistic follow-ups via phone or Zoom at months 3 and 6 post-treatment.

Being tested
Active eTNS, Sham eTNS
Keywords
ADHD, Neuromodulation, Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation, Cognition, EEG
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.

  • Active eTNSDevice

    Also called Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation, Monarch eTNS SystemTM (NeuroSigma, Inc., Los Angeles, CA

    Participants will receive active trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) administered by the Monarch eTNS system nightly during sleep for 4 weeks. Participants deemed to be positive responders to blinded active treatment will be invited to continue open nightly eTNS in a 12 month extension period.

  • Sham eTNSDevice

    Participants will receive sham trigeminal nerve stimulation (eTNS) administered by the Monarch eTNS system nightly during sleep for 4 weeks. At conclusion of the blinded trial, participants randomized to the sham group will be offered 4 weeks of open active eTNS treatment. Participants deemed to be positive responders to open active treatment will be invited to continue open nightly eTNS in a 12 month extension period.

Study groups in NCT05374187
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Active eTNSExperimentalFollowing screening and determination of eligibility , participants at baseline are randomized to receive 4 weeks nightly treatment with active eTNS. Positive responders will be invited to participate in a 12-month open-label continuation phase.
Receives: Device: Active eTNS
Sham eTNSSham comparatorFollowing screening and determination of eligibility, participants at baseline are randomize to receive 4 weeks nightly treatment with sham eTNS. At conclusion of the double-blind phase, participants randomized to sham will be provided an opportunity to receive an additional 4 weeks nightly treatment with active eTNS. Positive responders to active eTNS will be invited to participate in a 12-month open-label continuation phase.
Receives: Device: Active eTNS; Device: Sham eTNS

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5)

    A dimensional rating of ADHD symptoms, with scores ranging from 0-54, and higher scores indicating worse outcomes.

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 20

Secondary outcomes (9)
  1. Clinical Global Impression - Severity (CGI-S)

    Categorical measure indicating overall degree of clinical severity among patients with similar diagnoses. Minimum score = 1 (Normal); Maximum score = 7 (Among the most extremely ill patients).

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8, 16, 20

  2. Clinical Global Impression - Improvement (CGI-I)

    Categorical measure indicating degree improved or not improved compared with baseline for each treatment group. Minimum score = 1 (very much improved); Maximum score = 7 (very much worse). Results reflect number of participants stratified as "Improved" (CGI-I <=2) or "Not Improved" (CGI-I > 2).

    Measured: Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 20

  3. Change in Strengths and Weakness of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity (SWAN) Rating Scale

    A dimensional measure of ADHD symptoms measured on a 7-point scale, with scores ranging from -54 to +54, and lower scores indicating worse symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 20

  4. Change in Conners Short Form - Parent

    Parent completed dimensional measure of ADHD symptoms, with score range from 0-135, and higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8

  5. Change in Conners Short Form - Teacher

    Teacher completed dimensional measure of ADHD symptoms, with score range from 0-123, and higher scores indicating more severe symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8

  6. Change in Height

    A dimensional measure assessed in centimeters (cm).

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8

  7. Change in Weight

    A dimensional measure assessed in kilograms (kg).

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8

  8. Change in Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale

    A dimensional rating scale designed to evaluate the extent to which an individual's ability to function is impaired by emotional or behavioral problems, with scores ranging from 0 to 150, and higher scores signifying worse impairment.

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8

  9. Change in Child Depression Inventory

    A child completed dimensional rating of depressive symptoms, with scores ranging from 0 to 54, with higher scores indicating greater severity of depressive symptoms.

    Measured: Baseline, weeks 4, 8

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted16 May 2022
  2. Study start1 Sep 2022
  3. Primary completion10 Apr 2026
  4. Study completion10 Apr 2026

Resources

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
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
218 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05374187
Sponsor's protocol ID
NIHM R01 MH126041-01A1
Other IDs
1R01MH126041-01A1
Status last verified
May 2026
First submitted
9 May 2022
Last updated
14 May 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
Yes
Individual data sharing
Yes: The study will be registered on clinicaltrials.gov and all data will be uploaded to the National Database for Clinical Trials (NDCT) related to Mental Illness. Final de-identified data will be uploaded to NDCT databases by the PIs and trained research personnel at the completion of the study. All research data will be redacted to prevent the disclosure of personal identifiers. All individual participant data collected during the trial will be shared, following de-identification.

Publications

  • McGough JJ, Loo SK, Sturm A, Cowen J, Leuchter AF, Cook IA. An eight-week, open-trial, pilot feasibility study of trigeminal nerve stimulation in youth with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Brain Stimul. 2015 Mar-Apr;8(2):299-304. doi: 10.1016/j.brs.2014.11.013. Epub 2014 Nov 28.

    PubMed 25533244
  • McGough JJ, Sturm A, Cowen J, Tung K, Salgari GC, Leuchter AF, Cook IA, Sugar CA, Loo SK. Double-Blind, Sham-Controlled, Pilot Study of Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019 Apr;58(4):403-411.e3. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2018.11.013. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

    PubMed 30768393
  • McGough JJ, Loo SK, Cook IA. Reply to "Transcutaneous electric currents to target the peripheral and central nervous system in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder". Clin Neurophysiol. 2019 Oct;130(10):2008-2009. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.07.012. Epub 2019 Jul 23. No abstract available.

    PubMed 31377119
  • Loo SK, Salgari GC, Ellis A, Cowen J, Dillon A, McGough JJ. Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Cognitive and Electroencephalographic Predictors of Treatment Response. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2021 Jul;60(7):856-864.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2020.09.021. Epub 2020 Oct 15.

    PubMed 33068751

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Active eTNS in people with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, run by University of California, Los Angeles at 2 sites in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 May 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 2 sites in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in ADHD Rating Scale-5 (ADHD-RS-5) (time frame: Baseline, weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16, 20). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05374187, which also lists 4 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 May 2026.

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