Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)NCT07037030
Mindfulness ADHD Intervention
A study testing Guided deep breathing in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by Boston Children's Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 11% of children and adolescents in the United States. Individuals with ADHD experience substantial impairments and burdens across multiple areas of daily living, including peer difficulties, academic difficulties, poor job outcomes, high rates of… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 7 to 11 years
- Conditions the study is for
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- What is being tested?
- Guided deep breathing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 10 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 26 Feb 2026to Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
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 11 years
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Child
Who may be able to join
- Participant age 7 years, 0 months - 11 years, 11 months
- Parent-reported ADHD diagnosis for the participant
Who cannot join
- Previous confirmed or suspected diagnosis of intellectual disability
- Previous confirmed or suspected diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Currently prescribed non-stimulant medication for the purpose of managing ADHD symptoms
- Hearing impairments
- Primary language other than English
- Known seizure disorder
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
United States1 site
Boston Children's Hospital Laboratories of Cognitive Neuroscience
Brookline, Massachusetts, 02445
About this study
Official title: The Investigation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for ADHD
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 11% of children and adolescents in the United States. Individuals with ADHD experience substantial impairments and burdens across multiple areas of daily living, including peer difficulties, academic difficulties, poor job outcomes, high rates of co-occurring disorders, and large financial costs. Although there are many well-established, evidence-based treatments for ADHD, many children continue to experience significant impairment and elevated ADHD symptoms even with prolonged treatment. Further, there are several limitations to existing treatment approaches, including medication side effects, difficulty accessing behavioral treatments, and high out-of-pocket costs for behavioral treatments. Thus, there is a crucial need to identify low cost, low burden, alternative or additive intervention approaches for pediatric ADHD.
In the current pilot study, the investigators aim to evaluate responses in behavioral markers of attention to a mindfulness-based intervention. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), including deep breathing, have received considerable research attention regarding their benefits for ADHD symptoms. Deep breathing is a strong candidate as a supplementary MBI intervention for children with ADHD due to its simplistic and easy-to-implement nature. Studies examining the effects of deep breathing on physiological arousal and ADHD symptoms in children have yielded promising results. Children will be led through a brief deep breathing intervention using a novel tool designed to optimize child engagement in deep breathing. This tool is designed to be held in the child's hands and uses a series of haptic vibrations to provide real-time deep breathing pacing guidance. The investigators predict that following a brief deep breathing practice, children with ADHD will demonstrate improved sustained attention, reaction time consistency, and inhibitory control. These areas of attention and behavioral functioning will be assessed using computer tasks.
The investigators plan to use the results of this study to strengthen a future application for grant funding to run a similar trial with many more children. The investigators believe that the results of this and future studies will improve the lives of children with ADHD and their families.
- Being tested
- Guided deep breathing
- 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.
Guided deep breathingBehavioural
Children will complete a brief, 5-minute, deep breathing intervention using the Domi tool to help maintain a 5-second breath pace
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Breathing Intervention | Experimental | Children will complete a brief deep breathing intervention Receives: Behavioral: Guided deep breathing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Behavioral Performance Metrics
Behavioral markers of sustained attention and inhibitory control will be assessed using a Go/NoGo task. Omission errors (failing to respond to a Go trial) and reaction time variability (standard deviation of reaction time across all trials) will serve as markers of sustained attention. Commission errors (responding to a NoGo trial) will serve as a marker of inhibitory control.
Measured: During the single in-person research visit
Neurophysiological Markers
Electroencephalography (EEG) methods will be used to measure P300 event-related potentials (ERP), a positive inflection occurring around 300ms after a response to task-relevant and irrelevant stimuli that reflects attention orienting, stimulus evaluation, and inhibitory control. Stimulus-locked P300 amplitude in response to correct Go-trials will be a marker of cortical attention processes, while stimulus-locked P300 amplitude in response to NoGo trials will be a marker of cortical inhibitory control processes.
Measured: During the single in-person research visit
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted25 Jun 2025
- Study start26 Feb 2026
- Primary completionJul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completionJul 2026 (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.
- More trials run by Boston Children's HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- 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
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Boston Children's Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, James Lynch, Boston Children's Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07037030
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- IRB-P00051676
- Status last verified
- Jun 2025
- First submitted
- 17 Jun 2025
- Last updated
- 31 Mar 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 31 Mar 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Investigation of a Mindfulness-Based Intervention for ADHD
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07037030
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- IRB-P00051676
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Enrolling by invitation
- Enrolment
- 10 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Boston Children's HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 26 Feb 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- Jul 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 25 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 11% of children and adolescents in the United States. Individuals with ADHD experience substantial impairments and burdens across multiple areas of daily living, including peer difficulties, academic difficulties, poor job outcomes, high rates of co-occurring disorders, and large financial costs. Although there are many well-established, evidence-based treatments for ADHD, many children continue to experience significant impairment and elevated ADHD symptoms even with prolonged treatment. Further, there are several limitations to existing treatment approaches, including medication side effects, difficulty accessing behavioral treatments, and high out-of-pocket costs for behavioral treatments. Thus, there is a crucial need to identify low cost, low burden, alternative or additive intervention approaches for pediatric ADHD.
In the current pilot study, the investigators aim to evaluate responses in behavioral markers of attention to a mindfulness-based intervention. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), including deep breathing, have received considerable research attention regarding their benefits for ADHD symptoms. Deep breathing is a strong candidate as a supplementary MBI intervention for children with ADHD due to its simplistic and easy-to-implement nature. Studies examining the effects of deep breathing on physiological arousal and ADHD symptoms in children have yielded promising results. Children will be led through a brief deep breathing intervention using a novel tool designed to optimize child engagement in deep breathing. This tool is designed to be held in the child's hands and uses a series of haptic vibrations to provide real-time deep breathing pacing guidance. The investigators predict that following a brief deep breathing practice, children with ADHD will demonstrate improved sustained attention, reaction time consistency, and inhibitory control. These areas of attention and behavioral functioning will be assessed using computer tasks.
The investigators plan to use the results of this study to strengthen a future application for grant funding to run a similar trial with many more children. The investigators believe that the results of this and future studies will improve the lives of children with ADHD and their families.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Breathing Intervention | Experimental | Behavioral: Guided deep breathingChildren will complete a brief deep breathing intervention |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 7 to 11 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Child
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- Participant age 7 years, 0 months - 11 years, 11 months
- Parent-reported ADHD diagnosis for the participant
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- Previous confirmed or suspected diagnosis of intellectual disability
- Previous confirmed or suspected diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
- Currently prescribed non-stimulant medication for the purpose of managing ADHD symptoms
- Hearing impairments
- Primary language other than English
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Guided deep breathingChildren will complete a brief, 5-minute, deep breathing intervention using the Domi tool to help maintain a 5-second breath pace | Behavioural | Deep Breathing Intervention |
Primary outcome
Behavioral Performance Metrics
Time frame: During the single in-person research visit
Behavioral markers of sustained attention and inhibitory control will be assessed using a Go/NoGo task. Omission errors (failing to respond to a Go trial) and reaction time variability (standard deviation of reaction time across all trials) will serve as markers of sustained attention. Commission errors (responding to a NoGo trial) will serve as a marker of inhibitory control.
Neurophysiological Markers
Time frame: During the single in-person research visit
Electroencephalography (EEG) methods will be used to measure P300 event-related potentials (ERP), a positive inflection occurring around 300ms after a response to task-relevant and irrelevant stimuli that reflects attention orienting, stimulus evaluation, and inhibitory control. Stimulus-locked P300 amplitude in response to correct Go-trials will be a marker of cortical attention processes, while stimulus-locked P300 amplitude in response to NoGo trials will be a marker of cortical inhibitory control processes.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 31 Mar 2026.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Guided deep breathing in people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), run by Boston Children's Hospital at 1 site 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 2 inclusion and 6 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: enrolling by invitation, as of the sponsor's last update on 31 Mar 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site 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. 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?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
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?
Behavioral Performance Metrics (time frame: During the single in-person research visit). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
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 31 Mar 2026.