LemurDx: smarter wearables to measure hyperactivity in children with ADHD
Official title: Using Machine Learning and Sensing to Contextualize Hyperactivity Measurement on Wearable Devices
Funded at Nurelm E-Business Software · NIH-11399105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new software system uses smartwatch data and smart algorithms to measure hyperactivity in kids with ADHD to help doctors understand how they respond to medications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Nurelm E-Business Software NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 14, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $587,897 |
| NIH project number | 5R44MH138145-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children around 6 years old with ADHD who participate in ADHD medication trials and can wear a smartwatch.
✕Less likely to help
Children who do not use medications or cannot wear a smartwatch may not benefit from this approach.
What this research studies
This project uses a wearable sensor system called LemurDx to passively collect smartwatch data and apply machine learning to understand activity in different settings, like classroom or playground. It aims to provide an objective, rapid feedback loop for clinicians during ADHD medication trials, potentially improving titration decisions. The work focuses on children with ADHD and tests changes in hyperactivity on days they are on versus off medication, in both standardized and real-life environments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, LemurDx could make ADHD treatment more precise by giving clinicians an objective measure of hyperactivity to guide medication choices.
How similar studies have gone: Previous tools like actigraphy exist, but integrating context through ML and environmental data is a newer approach that shows promise but is still being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Nurelm E-Business Software
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaaban, Sami — Nurelm E-Business Software
- Study coordinator: Shaaban, Sami
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.