Treating Adult ADHD Around the Clock: A Sleep-Focused Treatment Trial
Official title: Treating Adult ADHD Around the Clock: A SMART Design Trial to Improve Sleep and Daytime Functioning
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11457316 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A Duke-led study tests a care plan that uses a sleep-focused program, with or without CBT-based ADHD therapy, to help adults with ADHD sleep better and function more during the day.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $810,013 |
| NIH project number | 1R01MH146150-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11457316 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with ADHD (likely 18+), especially those with sleep disturbances, who can participate in a structured treatment protocol.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without sleep disturbances or who cannot adhere to a multi-step treatment plan may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
If you have adult ADHD, this trial looks at whether a sleep and circadian treatment (with or without CBT-ADHD) can improve daytime functioning and reduce ADHD symptoms. It uses a SMART design to tailor the treatment steps based on how you respond, aiming to find what works best for sleep and overall functioning. The approach builds on prior pilot results showing sleep improvements and potential benefits for ADHD symptoms in real-world settings. Participants will complete guidelines-based sleep interventions, with careful monitoring and flexible sequencing guided by their responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a more effective, sleep-centered option to reduce ADHD symptoms and improve daily life.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary pilot work suggests sleep and circadian approaches can improve sleep and ADHD-related outcomes in adults.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lunsford-Avery, Jessica Ruth — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Lunsford-Avery, Jessica Ruth
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Biobehavioral validation of the ADHD emotion dysregulation phenotype
A study with children who have ADHD is testing how emotion regulation and thinking skills fit together to better understand why ADHD shows up differently in kids.
-
Hybrid school clinician training and ADHD/ODD program for Mexico
A school-based program to train clinicians and deliver a digital ADHD/ODD intervention in Mexican schools, helping children in real-world settings.
-
Hybrid school clinician training and ADHD/ODD intervention for schools in Mexico
A program that trains school clinicians and provides a digitally enhanced ADHD/ODD intervention to elementary-age students in Mexican schools to improve outcomes.
-
Nonstimulant-First vs Stimulant-First ADHD Treatment in Adults
This trial tests whether starting ADHD treatment with a nonstimulant medication works as well as starting with a stimulant for adults with ADHD.
-
Motivational Interviewing–Enhanced CBT for Adults with ADHD
A new program tests whether adding Motivational Interviewing to CBT helps adults with ADHD engage in treatment and improve daily functioning.
-
Understanding ADHD Stimulant Use and Teen Substance Outcomes
A long-term study following adolescents with ADHD to see how different patterns of stimulant treatment relate to later substance use risks and outcomes.
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.