Evaluating acupuncture for treating ADHD in children

Clinical Study on Acupuncture Treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Not applicable Interventional The Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine · NCT06860763

This study is testing whether acupuncture, combined with herbal treatment, can help children aged 6-12 with ADHD feel better compared to just herbal treatment alone.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment76 (estimated)
Ages6 Years to 12 Years
SexAll
SponsorThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine Academic / other
Locations1 site (Beijing, Chaoyang District)
Trial IDNCT06860763 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture as a treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children aged 6-12 years. It employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative assessments using the Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised (CPRS-R) with qualitative interviews to gather insights on patient experiences and treatment outcomes. Participants will be assigned to receive either acupuncture with traditional Chinese herbal treatment or herbal treatment alone over a 12-month period. The study seeks to provide comprehensive evidence on the therapeutic benefits of acupuncture for managing ADHD symptoms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are children aged 6-12 years with a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD who are not currently receiving any pharmacological treatments.

Not a fit: Patients with comorbid psychiatric disorders or severe medical conditions that may interfere with the study will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could offer a new complementary treatment option for children with ADHD, potentially improving their symptoms and overall quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While acupuncture has been explored in various studies for different conditions, this specific approach to ADHD treatment is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

Patients will be considered for enrolment if they meet the criteria of:

* A confirmed diagnosis of ADHD based on the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD (Western medical diagnosis) and in accordance with the ADHD Chinese Medicine Clinical Trial Design and Evaluation Technical Guidelines.
* Aged between 6 and 12 years.
* No use of any other pharmacological treatments (both Western and traditional Chinese medicine) within the two weeks prior to the start of the study.
* An IQ score of greater than 80, as determined by the Raven's Progressive Matrices test.
* The participant has not participated in any other clinical trials.

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients will be excluded from the study if they meet any of the following criteria:

* Do not meet the inclusion criteria
* Have comorbid psychiatric disorders, severe medical or psychiatric conditions that may interfere with the study (e.g., epilepsy, severe anxiety), pervasive developmental disorders, intellectual disability, or a history of suicidal or self-harming behavior
* Have participated in any other drug clinical trials within the past 3 months.
* Have severe comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular, hepatic, renal, or hematologic diseases.
* Have any other conditions that the researchers believe may interfere with the assessment of treatment efficacy or safety.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Chaoyang District

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions AcupunctureADHD - Attention Deficit Disorder With HyperactivityChildrenInterviewExecutive FunctioningQuality of LifeADHDExecutive functioning
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.